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-----Original Message-----
From: Tivers@aol.com [mailto:Tivers@aol.com]
In a message dated 5/10/99 7:34:51 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
tobytrot@bigfoot.com writes:
<< BTW - You didn't mention what pain killer your were using. Do not use
Advil
(or the generics for Ibuprofen) when you are dehydrated <at all>. It can
cause kidney failure when taken while dehydrated.
Linda Flemmer, RN
**************************
That's interesting. Do all pain killers act like this? TI
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Each medicine is metabolized differently and can affect different organ systems. Kidney failure will completely CHANGE your life, and NOT for the better. Dialysis will keep you alive, but it isn't "living". Just because many of these drugs are available over the counter (ie no prescription needed) doesn't mean that they are safe and benign! Some examples of other drugs:
Aspirin - stomach irritation, increased bleeding times, tinnitus (chronic ringing in the ears) is the sign of aspirin toxicity
Tylenol - liver toxicity/liver failure in larger doses (between 5 and 10 grams) or predisposed people (hx of liver failure or cirrhosis, dehydration) The "cure" isdrinking a liquid called mucomyst - a sulfur-based solution that smells and tastes unbelievably horrible. Folks who make "suicide gestures" with Tylenol actually do a darned good job of almost killing themselves!
Advil - Acute kidney failure in larger doses or if taken over prolonged periods. Especially toxic if taken when dehydrated. Not generally recommended if the person is at risk of poor kidney function anyway, such as diabetics, hx renal failure, hx renal transplant. It can cause kidney problems in one of two ways: It can reduce blodd flow to the kidneys, or it can actually kill vital interior structures in the kidney. Another less common side effect is blurred vision!
Naproxen sodium - The most common problems associated with it are stomach upset and headache. More rarely, it too can affect the liver and kidneys.
You asked specifically about Vicodin:
It is a prescription drug, a form of codeine that is less upsetting to the stomach called hydrocodone. It is a semi-synthetic drug that is distantly related to opioids. It can act as a respiratory depressant, it can elevate the cerebral-spinal fluid pressures in the head after head injuries (a BAD thing). It can cause urinary spasms, but not dehydration. As with the advil & tylenol, it affects the liver and kidney if the patient is prone to those organs being damaged or if they are severely dehydrated.
Now you know more than you ever wanted to know about drugs and the endurance rider! :-)
Linda Flemmer, RN
Blue Wolf Ranch
Bruceton Mills, WV
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