Killer Combination for Pain!
Written: Jan 08 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good synergistic effect, Fast and complete pain relief
Cons: not advisable for actively functioning people as it causes drowsiness!
The Bottom Line: Recommended for children above 10 yrs and adults mainly for headaches, low back aches and Insomnia due to pain.
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| ruthless77's Full Review: Tylenol PM |
I have been a Tylenol fan since I started practicing Medicine. Especially Tylenol has introduced great combination products which address not only the core issue but also the factors that aggravate the main complaint. Tylenol PM is one such product. I have used it myself, on my family and on my patients. It not only relieves pain but it also allays the accompanying anxiety, thereby providing a quick and complete pain relief. In this review I will be discussing the composition of Tylenol PM , its uses, its side effects, contra-indications and other details.
Killer Combination!
It is not an exaggeration if I call Tylenol PM a killer combination against pain. The active ingredients of Tylenol PM are Acetaminophen [ popularly called Paracetemol ] and Diphenhydramine [ an anti-histaminic medicine]. The role of these two ingredients is totally different. Diphenhydramine potentiates the pain relieving effect of Acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen is the main ingredient here which addresses the pain. But there is another factor that aggravates the pain-that is the anxiety that accompanies the pain.
Here I would like to share my Physiology knowledge with you. The perception of pain is not the same for every person. It varies from person to person. Some people are extremely sensitive to pain where as some can tolerate it very well. Why is there a difference?-This is because of a set point called Pain Threshold differs from person to person. Pain is perceived only when a stimulus reaches this Threshold. For example, a gentle touch does not cause pain, but an excessive pressure does produce pain. That is touch as it proceeds from gentle to excessive reaches the threshold and there by causes the sensory receptors for pain to fire. Pain is perceived when this receptors fire.
Every one with pain does experience anxiety, even if it is not shown outward. Anxiety is a factor that reduces the pain threshold. Thus it causes the pain receptors to fire early and thereby aggravates the pain. Diphenhydramine acts here. Diphenhydramine is actually an anti-allergic medication [anti-histaminic] and sedation [sleepiness] is its side effect. In this combination Tylenol PM, this side effect [sleepiness] of Diphenhydramine is used therapeutially to reduce anxiety. You cannot be anxious and sleepy at the sametime. So, Diphenhydramine by reducing anxiety increases the pain threshold and there by potentiates the pain relieving effect of Acetaminophen. That is why I call it a killer combination against Pain. The reason why I have given so much of explaination because I have seen people using this combination for Sleep induction. Remember if you are taking this for Insomnia [sleeplessness] you are taking another unnecessary ingredient called Acetaminophen. This combination is indicated only for effective control of Pain and Insomnia [sleeplesssness] which is secondary to pain. For a pure Insomnia [sleeplessness] , you can try another product from Tylenol called "Simply Sleep".
Where can it be used?
Tylenol PM can be used for migraines, minor headaches, tension-headaches, cluster-headaches, back-pain, other body aches and fever. It can be used for fever with cold and stuffed nose. Diphenhydramine is also an anti-allergic and can relieve a stuffed nose and common cold. It can be used for Sleeplessness [Insomnia] that is secondary to pain.
Headaches-what are they?
Tylenol PM is commonly used for Headaches. Not every headache can be successfully relieved by this over-the counter medicine. Everyone must have experienced a headache. Not every headache is a simple Tension headache. Tension headache is felt like a constricting band like pain especially at the back of the head. This headache can be successfully relieved with Tylenol PM. Since headache is such a common complaint I would like to share some information from my medicine text with you. I advise you see a doctor if you experience any of the following headaches:
-Migraine-this type of headache is usually felt on a single side of the head. It is usually preceded by a feeling of Aura, which includes a sensation of vomiting, flashes of light, colored halos e.t.c.
-Cluster headaches: These are episodic. They are also unilateral. These occur in episodes lasting for few hours and they occur everyday for few days in a row.
Alcohol can precipitate Cluster headaches.
- Temporal arteritis: In this condition there is a severe headache at one side of the skull that is on the temporal aspect. This also occurs in episodes and is very severe. It may be associated with severe pain in the shoulder and limb girdles. This can lead to loss of vision. So, it should be treated immediately.
- Hang-over: Those who have had an alcohol binge the previous night get this type. You can beat Hang over by taking lots of water and some glucose before you go to sleep.
Who should not use Tylenol PM?
- Should not drive after taking the medicine for about 12hrs
- Not recommended for persons whose occupation demands active mental and physical functioning as the medicine can cause drowsiness.
- Patients with enlarged prostate gland. [ Diphenhydramine can cause urinary retention in these patients]. This patients can use a plain Tylenol for pain.
- Should not be used with other sleep medications, as this can lead to excessive drowsiness.
- Should not be used concomitantly with alcohol
- Patients with Liver diseases should contact their doctors before they start Acetaminophen.
- Patients with Glaucoma should use a plain Tylenol for pain, as Diphenhydramine can aggravate Glaucoma.
Are there any side effects?
Well! Yes! But very few if used in normal doses- excessive drowsiness, blurred vision and constipation .
Excessive doses can lead to serious side effects like heart dysrhytmias, confusion, dry mouth, dementia, urinary retention, constipation, increased body temperature.
Contact your doctor if you experience any of these.
Tylenol PM is available over the counter and it costs about $7.00 for 24 geltabs. It is available in the form of gel tabs and caplets. It is recommended for children above 10 years and adults.
I believe this information is sufficient to help you select among different combination drugs available over the counter for pain. To summarize:
-Use plain Tylenol for minor pains that does not involve anxiety or sleeplessness
- Tylenol PM for Insomnia secondary to pain and for pain with anxiety.
-Simply Sleep for Insomnia which is not secondary to pain
-Tylenol PM for fever with body aches and common cold.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ruthless77
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Location: NJ, USA
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 22 members
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The Fittest Survive!-Darwin never gave his law, a philosophical touch!Lets apply this to life!
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