Evening news is all over Chantix (a smoking cessation aid) causing suicidal, hostility, aggressiveness, and accelerated mental problems. Carol, you have all you can handle as it is, you don't need more problems, so you might want to check on these new warnings.
I haven't seen the evening news but read the paper today and acetaminophen was yesterday's evil drug -- ruining livers and causing death. I've been on Chantix for two months now and I have yet to kill myself or anybody else :) but I am now a nonsmoker. I think it's like anything else, one has to be mindful of possible side affects and work closely with your doctor.
I agree Weejun. I think the warnings are mainly for abusers of the drugs. The alternative to use for Tylenol is Motrin, which is Iboproprin and that is hard on your kidneys. If the Chantix works, by directions, it would be better than the cigarattes, in my humble opinion. But you have to watch the situation.
Exactly lmohr. DH's Neuro-Psych prescribed with firm warning to me to watch for and if seen stop med immediately and call him. PCP wouldn't even prescribe because of having seen too many cases of the side effects showing up to be comfortable prescribing given DH's other issues. Neuro-Psych Dr. said it's about all there is left to try. Now I just have to get his sister from NJ to understand that cigarettes to help him throught the bumps in quitting DON'T HELP. Alz Assn counselor tonight suggested approaching her with appeal to work with us to help us keep him from ending up in hospital or NH by endangering himself or me trying to get cigarettes. Also suggested idea of a family conference with a Dr. or counselor to clue them in more on DH's condition and on this issue. I'm willing to ask them if they'd be willing, but admit I'm skeptical they will. Have offered that before and been shut down. They know what they know--even though they don't have a clue.
The TV program on prime time showed the sweet mother (a smoker) setting fire with her lighter. YOu can tell sister that that is an additional concern with his smoking as his dementia progresses. I have never heard of such a conspiracy with neighbors and family to aid his smoking habit while you and his doctor are working to help him stop. You do not need their "help"...needless to say and I am certain you don't feel like battling it out with them with your dental surgery so recent. I am so sorry for you and concerned for him.
The problem with acetaminophen is that it is in over the counter medications and people do not realize it. They take the drug - say Nyquil - then take more acetaminophen causing an over dose. What they need to do is ban putting it, aspirin, Ibuprofen, naproxin in them. Doctors need to make people they prescribe vicodin to that to not take any more acetaminophen. Years ago I was told ibuprofen was OK to take with it, but no acetaminophen.
You are exactly right, Charlotte. DH's Dr told us yesterday that education is the key, not changing the dosage of the pills as proposed. People can always take more pills than the pkg says so problem is not solved.
So many people believe that if it is "across the counter" it isn't dangerous. People can overdose on ASPIRIN. Toothpaste can be toxic in children. I have to watch DH every minute because he doesn't know one item from the other.
He does not touch his own meds. I put each dose in a little pleted paper cup (graciously given to us from our local hot dog joint...They use them for catsup and mustard cups) He doesn't know one pill from the other and could never take his own meds.
Interesting call from hb's dr's ofc today with results from a blood draw about 2 weeks ago. Said it was pretty good, but advancing renal problems that we'd need to watch. Said for him not to take Motrin. He never has that I know of. Doesn't take any over-the-counter meds except a baby aspirin and B12. Vitamin D is an Rx. So, searching threads to see if I could find anything related to renal disease, I found IMOHR's ref to Motrin and kidney problems. He was at renal failure 1 1/2 yrs ago because of enlarged prostate, but that was taken care of surgically. Expect some permanent damage was done then.
Today his neurologist gave us more samples of Namenda but was out of Aricept :( so I have an Rx for that. She's good about giving us samples and that, I think, has kept us out of the donut hole so far this year. Blessings are where you seek them. I also have to give hb his meds. He counts them, tho, to "make sure" the #s correct:)