Are you aware of this special medicine for severe pain? (Benzhydrocodone; Acetaminophen)

Have you ever struggled with unbearable pain? Maybe it was after an operation or a serious accident. There are times when the pain doesn't go away even after taking regular painkillers. In those cases, today we are going to talk about a special, powerful painkiller that your doctor prescribes.

Simply put, what kind of medicine is this?

This medication is actually a combination of two medications. That is, both Benzhydrocodone and Acetaminophen are contained in this one pill.

• Benzhydrocodone is a powerful painkiller that belongs to the opioid class. It works by blocking the pain signals from your brain, which is how it works. It's like it's blocking the pain pathway to your brain.
• Acetaminophen is another name for the commonly used paracetamol that we all know and use. This also reduces pain.

When these two are combined, they can be a great help in controlling those unbearable pains. But remember, this is not a medicine to take for a normal headache or body ache. Doctors only prescribe this in cases of severe pain that cannot be controlled with other painkillers.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Since this is a very strong medicine, it is essential to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have. This medicine may interact with those conditions. If you have any of the following conditions, tell your doctor before starting the medicine.

• Liver or kidney disease: The acetaminophen in this medicine can affect the liver. Therefore, it can be dangerous for someone with liver disease .
• If you are a regular drinker : Combining this medication with alcohol can cause a lot of damage to the liver.
• Lung diseases: If you have breathing problems such as asthma , this medicine may make breathing more difficult.
• If you have had a head injury or have a brain tumor.
• Conditions such as heart disease and seizures .
• Stomach or intestinal problems.
• If you have a history of substance use disorder.
• If you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother.
• If you have an allergy to this medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.

When you tell your doctor these things without hiding them, he can choose the safest and most suitable treatment for you.

How exactly do I use this medicine?

When using such a powerful medicine, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly. 1. Take with a glass of water: Take the medicine with a glass of water. 2. With or without food: You can take this medicine before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset or nausea, it is better to take the medicine with a small meal. 3. Take it at the right time: Take the medicine exactly at the right time and at the right hour as prescribed by the doctor. Taking it on time, without waiting for the pain to come, can help control the pain better. 4. Do not increase the dosage: Do not take even one more pill than the doctor has prescribed. Do not do so even if you feel that the pain is not reduced. In that case, talk to your doctor. 5. Do not stop suddenly: This is very important. Do not stop this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause discomfort to your body. If you want to stop, do it the right way, by gradually reducing the dosage.

What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)

This is not something to be taken lightly. If you think you have overdosed on this medication, or if someone else has overdosed on it, you should take immediate action .

• Call the National Poison Information Center at the National Hospital immediately.
• Otherwise, take the patient to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.

At times like this, don't wait for symptoms to appear. The sooner you act, the better.

Be especially careful about these things when taking medication.

While using this medicine, it is important to pay close attention to changes in your body.

If the pain doesn't subside...

When you take this medicine for a long time, your body can get used to it. In medicine, we call this tolerance . Simply put, the amount of medicine that was previously enough to control the pain may no longer be enough. This is normal. If you feel that your pain is not getting better, talk to your doctor instead of increasing the dose on your own.

Drowsiness and driving

Many people may feel drowsy or dizzy after taking this medicine. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Also, you may feel dizzy when you stand up or sit down suddenly, so change positions slowly.

Taking with alcohol and other sleep-inducing medications

A special warning about Acetaminophen

This is a common mistake that many people make. This medicine already contains acetaminophen (i.e. paracetamol). Therefore, while taking this medicine, do not take any other paracetamol, Panadol or any other medicine containing acetaminophen (some cold and cough medicines also contain these). Doing so can cause too much acetaminophen to enter the body and cause serious liver damage . If you are in doubt, read the ingredients of any medicine before taking it, or ask your doctor.

Constipation and dry mouth

Constipation is common with opioid medications. If you have difficulty passing stool for more than 3 days, tell your doctor. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating fiber-rich foods (fruits and vegetables) can help. If your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum and drinking water can help.

What are the expected side effects?

Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some are serious, some are common. It's important to be aware of these.

How to store and dispose of medicine safely?

This is a very strong medicine, so keep it locked up and out of reach of children and pets . It can be fatal if someone accidentally ingests this medicine. It is also important to properly dispose of expired or no longer needed medicine.

• Ask your doctor or the place where you were given your medicine about how to properly dispose of unused medicine. Some places may have take-back programs for these.
• Only flush it down the toilet if there is no other option.

Benzhydrocodone, Acetaminophen, Painkillers, Opioids, Severe Pain, Side Effects, Medication, Sri Lanka