MEDICAL INSURANCE

Medications

For your convenience here is a brief description of the most common medications used in pain and anxiety management. The doctor will work with you to determine what will best assist you. This is an aid to understanding the terminology and medication names your doctor may discuss with you. ERMeds in no way claims to "sell" medications and this information is provided solely for the purpose of helping the patient to better understand the types of medications often used in treating common related conditions.

Narcotic Analgesics

These medications contain different narcotic analgesics, and are usually compounded with acetaminophen (Tylenol). One medical theory is that the Tylenol helps the narcotic "find" the pain receptors more efficiently.

The Codeine Family

Codeine is a naturally occurring narcotic derived from opium and among the most widely used painkillers in the world. Approximately 120mg of codeine has the analgesic effect of 10mg of morphine, as your body converts codeine into morphine, and lasts 4 to 6 hours. It is also used as an antitussive and antidiarreal.

Tylenol #4 - 60mg of codeine compounded with 300mg of Tylenol.
Tylenol #3 - 30mg of codeine compounded with 300mg of Tylenol.

The Hydrocodone Family

Hydrocodone is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. It provides equivalent analgesia to morphine, as 10mg of hydrocodone is approximate to 10mg of morphine, although most users find it less sedating and more stimulating. Hydrocodone lasts four to six hours, with a half life of up to 8 hours. It is also used as an antitussive. Hydrocodone and Tylenol products are the top selling prescription medications in America today.

Lorcet 10
10 mgs of hydrocodone compounded with 650 mg of Tylenol. These tablets are also easy to split if you need to titrate your dose.

Lortab 10
10mg of hydrocodone compounded with 500 mg of Tylenol.

Lortab 7.5/Lorcet 7.5
7.5 mg of hydrocodone compounded with 500 mg of Tylenol.

Vicodin; Lortab 5
5mg of hydrocodone compounded with 500mg of Tylenol.

Vicodin ES
7.5mg of hydrocodone compounded with 750mg of Tylenol.

Vicodin HP
10mg of hydrocodone compounded with 660mg of Tylenol.

Vicoprofen
7.5mg of hydrocodone compounded with 200mg of ibuprofen (Advil); the first narcotic-Advil combination.

Norco 10
10mg of hydrocodone compounded with 325mg of Tylenol. For those concerned about Tylenol being harsh on their liver, or who may take other products containing Tylenol, this medication has the least Tylenol in combination with hydrocodone currently on the market.

Norco 7.5
7.5mg of hydrocodone compounded with 325mg of Tylenol.

Norco 5
5mg of hydrocodone compounded with 325mg of Tylenol.

Propoxyphene

Proxoxyphene is a synthetic narcotic that is a cousin to dolophine (methadone). It is approximately ½ to 2/3 the strength of codeine, and is cross-tolerant with hydrocodone. Propoxyphene comes in both napsylate and hydrochloride salts, both of which are in different weights but offer equipotent analgesia, except that proxoxyphene hydrochloride has a more dramatic and severe peak. Both have a half-life that can extend with repeated dosages up to 48 hours.

Darvocet N100
100mg of Proxoxyphene Napsylate compounded with Tylenol.

Darvon
65mg of Proxoxphene Hydrochloride with no additives.

Barbiturate-Codeine Combinations

The barbiturates are among the oldest sedatives invented. Butalibital, a short-acting barbiturate, can have a dramatic effect in enhancing the painkilling properties of codeine.

Fiorinal #3
Aspirin, caffeine, 30mg of codeine and 40mg of butalbital. This medicine is useful for headaches, muscle pain, aches and sprains. It is also widely prescribed for women undergoing painful monthly cramps and the associated psychological effects of PMS. The interaction between the codeine and the barbiturate increases the impact of each, the caffeine enhances the analgesic effect of both and counteracts drowsiness, and the aspirin acts in an anti-inflammatory capacity.

Fioricet #3
Contains the same active ingredients as Fiorinal #3 with Tylenol substituted for aspirin. Many people are either allergic to anti-inflammatories of the aspirin variety or their stomach cannot tolerate them, and this medicine is designed for those in mind.

Benzodiazapine Tranquilizers

Benzodiazapines grew out of their mother drug Librium, and are some of the most popular and safest tranquilizers available. They relax the large skeletal muscles, and can calm you or make you sleepier depending on the drug and the dosage you take.

Xanax

The anti-anxiety medication that also has sedative, anti-depressant, and muscle relaxant properties. Considered one of the best medications available to treat panic attacks, it can also be used at bedtime for sleep. Xanax is a fast acting.

Valium
Valium is one of the oldest benzodiazapines, used as a long acting sedative, to relax muscles, induce sleep (if taken at bedtime), combat alcohol withdrawal and allay panic. Valium is long acting.

Klonopin
Invented as an antiseizure muscle relaxant, klonopin also has sedative, anti-panic and sleep inducing properties. Klonopin is long acting.

Ativan
Ativan has sedative, anti-agitant, and sleep inducing properties. Ativan is short acting, yet takes two hours to reach peak levels.

Halcyon
Halcyon is the strongest sleeping pill legally available in the United States . Halcion is short acting.

Restoril
Restoril is an excellent sleeping pill, although it has displayed daytime sedation properties for some patients Restoril is short acting.

Other Medications

Soma
Soma is a derivative of miltown (meprobamate), a sedative commonly used in the 1950s and 1960s. Soma is one of the most popular muscle relaxants, effective at relieving muscular aches, sprains and pain. It also has a calmative effect and some patients use it as a nighttime sopoforic.

Ambien
One of the most popular sleeping pills; similar to benzodiazpines but in a different chemical category. It is recommended that patients using ambien have a full eight hours of sleep.

Viagra
The popular men's health/potency medication, the first of its kind and proven effective.