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Should DayQuil Be Legal?

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Re: Should DayQuil Be Legal?

#271

Post by no-name-here »

AnodicElegy wrote: post #267
nostrademons wrote: post #96

The article kinda glossed over it, but one fact under-appreciated by the general public is just how dangerous acetaminophen overdoses can be . Scientists often talk about the "therapeutic index" or "safety ratio" of a drug. It's the LD50 (dose at which 50% of recipients die) divided by the effective dose. Common hard drugs like heroin or methamphetamine have a safety ratio of about 6-10 [1]. "Soft" drugs like marijua…

The safety ratios listed in reference [1] are exaggerated, as can be determined by the following qualification: "The majority of published reports of acute lethal toxicity indicate that the decedent used a co-intoxicant (most often alcohol)." The vast majority of so-called drug overdoses are due to polydrug intoxication. It's much harder to die by consuming a single substance. This is clear from the statistics of the…

I imagine painkillers are fairly commonly used for hangover headaches, and it’s surprisingly difficult to get guidance on how long after drinking it’s ok to take painkillers (presumably as it’s complicated) - perhaps instructions should be updated to not just say don’t take with alcohol, but don’t take within a day of alcohol?

Re: Should DayQuil Be Legal?

#272

Post by kube-system »

BeetleB wrote: post #235
kube-system wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OTC drugs should be both available and regulated to be sold in such a way to minimize harm to people who use it. Honestly, combination drugs are out of fucking control. Some people don't know Advil is ibuprofin. Some people think all Advil is ibuprofin. Both are wrong! It used to be true that doctors could tell people that it was okay to take [X] brand drug with [Y] brand drug but anymore, there are a half dozen form…

I blame doctors and nurses. At least the ones I personally know tell patients "Advil" and "Tylenol" and never mention ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Actually, it's true for pretty much all OTC medications - they just use the branded names Immodium, not loperamide. Claritin. Zyrtec. Benadryl. Dramamine (drowsy/non-drowsy). The list goes on. When asked, they always tell me one of two things: 1. They were trained on these…

Eh, from what I gather from the healthcare professionals I know, I think that is mostly doctors adapting to the language accessible to their clientele. I don’t think it’s about being “easy” as much as it is “doable”. I’ve heard that it’s often hard to even get an accurate list of current medications out of a person, brand name or not.

Now I suppose ibuprofen/acetaminophen is common enough that people may be familiar with it, but I could see how in a clinical setting defaulting to brand names is the only reasonable default for accessibility.

I’ve had multiple doctors remark specifically about my use of generic drug name in discussion. “So I presume you’re a little bit familiar already”, etc.

Re: Should DayQuil Be Legal?

#273

Post by no-name-here »

Nifty3929 wrote: post #214
alistairSH wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not to mention it ignores reality. Most consumers have neither the time now knowledge to research everything they buy. That's one of the roles of government.

That's one of the important reasons - I thought - that we have the FDA in the first place. But these days I'm really not so sure. So many promising treatments rejected (or just stalled forever) while pointless placebos and worse get or remain approved. So - why again does the FDA exist?

> why again does the FDA exist?

Is the argument that because the FDA may not be perfect, the public would be better off if it didn’t exist?

The FDA handles many thousands of product categories, tens of thousands of prescription drugs, etc. Which items (and how many total) are you referring to? For many of them might there be a reason available as to why they didn’t end up as you recommended?

Is there any country on earth without an FDA where you think the result is better than the US’s FDA?

Re: Should DayQuil Be Legal?

#274

Post by nullc »

nostrademons wrote: post #96

The article kinda glossed over it, but one fact under-appreciated by the general public is just how dangerous acetaminophen overdoses can be . Scientists often talk about the "therapeutic index" or "safety ratio" of a drug. It's the LD50 (dose at which 50% of recipients die) divided by the effective dose. Common hard drugs like heroin or methamphetamine have a safety ratio of about 6-10 [1]. "Soft" drugs like marijua…

Perhaps it's useful to know that NAC is the treatment for acetaminophen toxicity, should you happen to find yourself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse with a Tylenol ODed friend and a supplements isle handy but no readily available medical support. :D

There has been some suggestions that acetaminophen products should contain NAC to offset some of the toxic effects, but I dunno where they've gone-- there probably isn't any money in it to study it formally.

I try to make an effort to know what the treatment/antidote is for any hazardous substance in my home... things you hope you never need to know but are glad if you do.

Re: Should DayQuil Be Legal?

#276

Post by Scroll_Swe »

kstrauser wrote: post #228
Scroll_Swe wrote: post #222

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Here's one list of medicines containing alcohol: https://www.hpspmonitoring.com/Content/Oregon/Resources/Medi... You don't have to be a special kind of dumbass to take, let's see, NyQuil when you're sick.

1. NyQuil is not sold here. Not allowed. Probably for that reason! Us northern EUs must be smart, huh?

2. NyQuil is medication. Not what I nor the poster mean. They mean drinking for fun. hmmm whatever to say... Drinking wine, sprit, beer? For the effect of ethanol?

You understand how there is a difference? :)

Re: Should DayQuil Be Legal?

#277

Post by Scroll_Swe »

annzabelle wrote: post #239
Scroll_Swe wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ibuprofen is hard on the kidneys and stomach too. And bleeding/clotting issues. Sooo ya :) Better just stay off the beer hubby. Remember, beer makes you fat also.

Wow, that's a really weird tone for a hackernews comment.

[flagged]

Re: Should DayQuil Be Legal?

#278

Post by Scroll_Swe »

ssl-3 wrote: post #259
Scroll_Swe wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ibuprofen is hard on the kidneys and stomach too. And bleeding/clotting issues. Sooo ya :) Better just stay off the beer hubby. Remember, beer makes you fat also.

You don't know us, nor the scale of anything we do in our lives. But thanks for the input, sweetlips!

[flagged]

Re: Should DayQuil Be Legal?

#279

Post by Scroll_Swe »

nostrademons wrote: post #234
Scroll_Swe wrote: post #225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder why it is not a more commonplace useage for suicides. Females seem to enjoy overdoes more, and men seem to enjoy violent ways. But female sucicides often "fails", seems like eating a box of Tylenols (here they come in 20 packs) would solve the "being alive" issue quite quick, no? Better not tip people off... :) >end up needing a liver transplant You won't get one nor should you get one if the reason is this.

It's a pretty terrible way to go. Death doesn't come immediately; you seem fine at first, and then about 3 days later you suffer intense abdominal pain and vomiting. At about 4 days you realize your liver is irreversibly shot and you're a dead man walking unless you can get a liver transplant. Then you enter multi-organ failure as your body and brain shuts down. Acetaminophen poisoning actually featured on two episod…

I did marathon house for a bit, love it! Thank you!

Re: Should DayQuil Be Legal?

#280

Post by rsynnott »

nostrademons wrote: post #96

The article kinda glossed over it, but one fact under-appreciated by the general public is just how dangerous acetaminophen overdoses can be . Scientists often talk about the "therapeutic index" or "safety ratio" of a drug. It's the LD50 (dose at which 50% of recipients die) divided by the effective dose. Common hard drugs like heroin or methamphetamine have a safety ratio of about 6-10 [1]. "Soft" drugs like marijua…

The thing about it is, _if taken as directed_ it's extremely safe, moreso than just about any other painkiller. In some countries it's the only one available in supermarkets.
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