[fr1endly2]

I read this article and knowing how we as gastric bypass patients are supposed to use only acetaminophen I thought this was important for us:

Common Pain Drugs to Get New Warnings


Acetaminophen, Aspirin, NSAIDs Face New FDA Alerts By Todd Zwillich
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD
on Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Dec. 19, 2006 -- Over-the-counter pain relievers used by hundreds of millions of Americans will carry stricter safety warnings under regulations proposed Tuesday by the FDA.
Labels would warn of the potential for severe liver damage with the use of acetaminophen, the pain reliever contained in Tylenol. Warnings would also go on painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, cautioning of a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with overuse. Brand names include Advil, Motrin, and Aleve.
Many nonprescription drugs already carry similar warnings. But FDA officials said they are seeking to make the alerts more visible and specific after reports suggesting that injury related to common pain relievers -- while uncommon -- is more prevalent than previously thought.
"We think that warning has to be more prominently displayed," said Charles Ganley, MD, director of the FDA's office of nonprescription products. "The consumers have to be more cognizant of what they're taking for pain relief."
There are more than 20 different forms of NSAIDs, though not all are available without a prescription. Still, together with acetaminophen, they comprise hundreds of products.
New Labels Proposed
The agency said it intends to require acetaminophen manufacturers to display the words "liver warning" in prominent type on packaging. Labels must alert consumers that severe liver damage can result if they take more than the recommended maximum daily dose, combine the pills with other drugs and those that also contain acetaminophen, or drink moderate amounts of alcohol while taking the drug.
NSAIDs would have to carry similarly prominent warnings saying the drugs can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding in patients over 60, those with previous ulcersulcers or bleeding, those who take a blood thinner, those taking more than one product containing an NSAID, and in patients already taking certain medications such as a corticosteroid like prednisone.
The drugs would also continue to carry existing alerts about exceeding the maximum daily dose, taking it for longer than directed, and mixing them with alcohol, the agency said.
Ganley said the agency believes acetaminophen to be "quite safe" but that risk of liver failureliver failure exists for the hundreds of millions of Americans who take the drugs.
"Those rare circumstances are adding up to large numbers," he told reporters.

[Becca]

OH my thanks Lisa,,,,,,,I cant take Arthritis meds for the bad Arthritis i have in my knees, and fingers.....

So i have to take the over the counter meds......I canr take anything for the swelling. It makes me so sick.........

So i'm worried about this, as i have to take this every day.......

[fr1endly2]

Well i wouldnt stress to much BECCA!
just take in correct doses. DONT take
4 pills at once thinking it will help.
TAKE the doses in the right spaces
and all should be fine.

TO many people take more then suggested
and thats were the problems come from.
JUST dont take NSAIDS!!! stick to acetaminophen
products as a gastric bypass patient!

[LittleLisaMarie]

Thanks Lisa..I know this was proposed a while back i guess it takes a while for these things to get through the red tape....I know one of the big issues was that parents were overusing the medication on infants and causeing liver damage. I remember this from a couple of years back when an infant died. That is when they first tried to get them to put these warnings on the labels.. Thanks for the update.

LittleLisaMarie