Rank these pain killers

[jyl]

I'm looking in the medicine cabinet and see some old pain meds left over from various Rx over the years. Trying to decide which pills to include in my emergency stash and which to toss.

How would you rank these, from most effective to least:
- Hydrocodone 5 mg + acetaminophen 325 mg
- Oxycodone 5 mg
- Tramadol 50 mg

I think these were prescribed to various family members for kidney stones, post oral surgery, perforated ulcer. Some are pretty old, for example the oxycodone was prescribed at least 5 years ago.

[RKDinOKC]

If stored in a cool DRY place (not bathroom cabinet) should be okay, but after their expiration date will start losing effectiveness.

[porsche4life]

Oxy will be the strongest. It's a schedule 2 as well

Hydroxodone is your 2nd strongest followed by the tramadol.

[svandamme]

man, y'all get so much stronger stuff then we do in Europe.
Here you have to be near death to get something like oxycotin


oral surgury : Ibuprofen
kidneystones : Ibuprofen, injected if it's bad
Chopped off yer leg with a chain saw : Ibuprofen

You have something with immenent death : doc goes, Ok, some morphine, not to much we don't him dying as an addict

[Hugh R]

I had oral surgery a month ago, the dentist gave me hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5-32. Made me barf. I think he gave me 8 pills, I took one. I'll probably drop the rest at the pharmacist to dispose. Apparently, dumping in the toilet isn't a good thing for the fishes...

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

... Apparently, dumping in the toilet isn't a good thing for the fishes...

Indirectly as well

The Associated Press: Pharmaceuticals found in drinking water, affecting wildlife and maybe humans

[red-beard]

I looked this up a couple of years ago when they were trying different painkillers on my dad.

Painkiller Comparison Chart - Desktop Version - Vaughn's Summaries

[M.D. Holloway]

Forgot booze. Has a much longer shelf life then the pills.

[Tobra]

It depends on the type of pain and the person. I have read studies that found ibuprofen more effective for dental surgery pain than narcotics. It turns out that if you have a cardiac history, you should probably not be taking NSAIDs so much.

Demerol is ranked incorrectly on that list.

[jyl]

Also found other Rx, wonder if I should keep these around in the emergency stash.
- omeprazole. Generic version of Prilosec. Seems potentially useful.
- ondansetron. Anti-nausea, anti-vomiting. I'm inclined to throw this out since my view is that if you feel like vomiting, you probably should.
- ranitidine. Generic of Zantac. My daughter got this for ulcer. Seems useful.

Gonna keep rooting through the bottles here.

[jyl]

Oh, what's the latest on acetominophen - what is the max daily liver-safe dose?

[Nickshu]

Don't ever dump drugs in the toilet or into our water system. Dump them in the trash or take them back to the pharmacy where they will dispose of them for you.

https://newrepublic.com/article/115883/drugs-drinking-water-new-epa-study-finds-more-we-knew

[rwest]

Our local police department has bags that you put your pills in, and water and then put in garbage. It must neutralize them.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Tobra

It depends on the type of pain and the person. I have read studies that found ibuprofen more effective for dental surgery pain than narcotics. It turns out that if you have a cardiac history, you should probably not be taking NSAIDs so much.

Demerol is ranked incorrectly on that list.

Yes, and there is the unique chemistry of the individual, which is why some pain killers are more effective than others, for different people. Also the unique chemistry of the drug, depending on the injury. For a bump on the head, ibuprofen can kill you if you have a hematoma.

When my dad pulled my wisdom teeth, he gave me Vicodin. But it did nothing. I was popping them like candy, and no effect. I took an Advil and that did the job.

[Evans, Marv]

Just like acetaminophen can affect the liver, it should also be kept in mind NSAIDs can affect the kidneys.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by svandamme

man, y'all get so much stronger stuff then we do in Europe.
Here you have to be near death to get something like oxycotin


oral surgury : Ibuprofen
kidneystones : Ibuprofen, injected if it's bad
Chopped off yer leg with a chain saw : Ibuprofen

You have something with immenent death : doc goes, Ok, some morphine, not to much we don't him dying as an addict

Oxycontin and Oxycodone: spelled similarly. Quite different.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Oxycontin and Oxycodone: spelled similarly. Quite different.

Oxycontin is an extended release form of oxycodone.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by jyl

Also found other Rx, wonder if I should keep these around in the emergency stash.
- omeprazole. Generic version of Prilosec. Seems potentially useful.
- ondansetron. Anti-nausea, anti-vomiting. I'm inclined to throw this out since my view is that if you feel like vomiting, you probably should.
- ranitidine. Generic of Zantac. My daughter got this for ulcer. Seems useful.

Gonna keep rooting through the bottles here.

Ondanestron (zofran) is a good anti nausea drug. See it a lot for chemo patients that have nausea caused by the chemo. it's a good one to have around.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Oxycontin and Oxycodone: spelled similarly. Quite different.

doesn't matter, not getting any anyway! I Bu Pro Fen !

[JackDidley]

My drug of choice, darvocet. My Dr. no longer prescribes it. I have a small stash, maybe 5 . I swear it is the one painkiller that works for me. I hate morphine and lortabs. Yes Ive had a couple serious injuries.