Monday, December 26, 2005

A pill too far

Over 100 people die annually from unintentionally taking too much acetaminophen, the stuff in Tylenol, Theraflu, Excedrin, and Nyquil Cold/Flu, plus the prescription narcotics Vicodin and Percocet. How depressing would that be: "Well, my headache is better but, you know, now I'm dead!" Source: USA Today

4 comments:

meagan said...

I've heard this before. And not just about acetaminophen, but also about ibuprofen and aspirin. I worry about my husband, as he takes a lot of these for headaches. I, however, have such a ridiculously weak stomach that I only take these OTC painkillers when I feel about to die and even then it's naproxen.

Aren't you glad I just told you all that? Wow. Yay for boring comments. Well, you are the one that posted the entry about this, after all. :-) Perhaps I'm just making up for not having commented in way too long...

love meagan
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have you tried the coated aspirin????? they are not supposed to disolve until they are past your stomach (and, no, I don't know how the aspirin know that -- I also don't know how rain knows when it's midnight). Jim

Jay Noel said...

Because they're over the counter, people use these things without abandon.

If I take too much ibuprofen or asprin, I get nosebleeds. It thins out the blood pretty quickly.

ER nurses and doctors say that over the counter ODs are very common.
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there goes another urban legend, we thought your nosebleeds were from bullies punching you in the, you know, nose. :-) Jim

meagan said...

Jim learned a new trick!! Comments within comments = wow.

love meagan
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I can also fetch the newspaper, and roll over and play dead -- hehe -- Jim

meagan said...

Hmm, I suppose Rooty taught you those tricks.
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Meagan -- yep, and how to chase cars and beg for food!!!!!!! Jim