The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) met today in Adelphi, Maryland to discuss the concern of two powerful medications used for pain control. The two painkillers are Percocet and Vicodin. A panel was put together to vote on these medications and possibly determine if they should be pulled from the market.Â
The real concern is the drug Acetaminophen [Tylenol] which is found in high doses in both Vicodin and Percocet. Acetaminophenis a widely used medication and under normal doses it rarely may cause serious concern. But when this medication is taken in high doses – severe liver damage and acute liver failure could be the result.
According to the FDA more than 200 million drugs combined with Tylenol were prescribe last year alone.
The panel voted 20 – 17 that medications such as painkillers that are combined with acetaminophen should be taken of the market. This panel was to help determine the outcome of the medications in concern, but no absolute decision has been made.Â
Many panelists were concerned about an outright removal from the market and a separate vote took place regarding a black box warning placed on the medications combine with acetaminophen. This vote took in the assumption that these medications will be allowed to stay on the market. A 36 – 1 vote in affirmation for a black box warning.
Several additional issues regarding acetaminophen were discussed including:
1.)Â Lower the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen
      - it is currently at 4 grams per day
      - 4 grams = 8 x 500mg extra strength Tylenol
      - another recommendation amount was not discussed
2.)Â 1,000 mg tablets should only be available by prescription
3.)Â Maximum single dose to be 650mg
4.)Â Tylenol cough and cold will not be pulled from the market
***An important final note is that the FDA organized the group of panelists but that the decision to pull medications combined with acetaminophen has not yet been finalized. More often than not the FDA will agree with its panel for the changes in Acetaminophen overall.
6 Responses to “Vicodin and Percocet could be on the way out”
Leave a Reply
June 30th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Please not my friends Vicodin and Percocet. Please anybody but them
June 30th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Who wants to be the one to tell Dr. House – I vote you!!!
December 10th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I lately came across your blog and have been learning along. I thought I would leave my first remark. I don’t know what to say except that I have loved reading. Solid blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
December 12th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Substantially, the article is really the freshest on this worthw hile topic. I concur with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your coming updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the tremendous clarity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay abreast of any updates with my appendicitis review website.Genuine work and much success in your business dealings!Thank you very much.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Good post, thanks. I just signed up to RSS on this blog.
January 13th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Hello! I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your blog.