[Courtney M]

I woke up this morning with AMAZING back pain! I can't even turn my head, I just move at the waist to look in another direction. I know that I need to get to my Chiropractor to resolve the root problem, but, having encountered similar pain in the past I know that there is nothing that he can do for this immediate pain, I just need to tough it out. In the meantime, I am wondering how much of the 3 year old Vicodin (from a dental work prescription if I recall) I can safely take to get me through the immediate pain? How much does it degrade? I took 3 of them several hours ago and I can still barely lie down! Should I take 2-4 more since they will likely be less potent than originally labeled? (Hydrocodone/ASAP 5/500 tab)Please reply ASAP, I need to get some sleep.Thanks for your replies. I'm not looking to mask the pain and ignore the root problem (and nope, I'm not constipated - it's an upper back pain) only make it through the night till I can consult a professional in the AM. I just got off the phone with California Poison Control and they confirmed that I would be safe to take another 1-2, seeing as it had been 4 hours since taking any. I'm going to try and get some sleep now. Thanks again for fast answers, I'm liking this"Yahoo Answers"thing - it seems to work well.

[q answers]

Take a Tylenol, it's Ibuprofen. Better see an orthopedist, chiropractors are charlatans.

[jen B]

GO TO THE DOCTOR abd get some new ones. he might be able to offer a better alternative for the pain maybe some thing stronger

[Tamara S]

No!!! Do not take anymore of the Vicodin. There is no way to tell how potent they may or may not be. You could be setting yourself up for a potential overdose. Plus you should never take a medication that is expired. If it is that bad you should go to your local ER or Urgent care. If you can wait call your Doctor when they open. Toss out the old pills now. And BTW don't listen to the idiot above who said Tylenol is Ibuprofen, they are 2 different meds. If you took Vicodin don't take any Tylenol either, because Vicodin contains acetomeniphen which is the same as tylenol.

[servicedogstar]

call a pharmacist and askdon't take any more until you know its safe also try ibuprofen dint take Tylenol because i think vicadone as Tylenol in it and to much can really hurt you re liver

[thatguy]

old drugs = bad results

drugs, just like anything else lose their potency, and effectiveness by being old -- go see a doc, best idea is to not take any old meds.