The Latest Collection From Hell

[BeeMused]

Paracetamol (or acetaminophen aka Tylenol to us Americans) is one of the most dangerous drugs you can buy.

Yeah, each time I buy it I get a lecture about the dangers. And it's a good thing they do it, liver failure isn't fun.

You can buy codeine over the counter in Canada, too.

Codeine is prescription only in Germany, it's even on the drug law list. I guess because it can be used as a recreational drug.

[NorthernZel]

Codeine is prescription only in Germany, it's even on the drug law list. I guess because it can be used as a recreational drug.

It's prescripted over here as well, since it's considered as an opiate. Got a prescription for Codeine once I had something called "cold pneumonia" (like real pneumonia, just viral, not bacterial so normal antibiotics wouldn't kill it) and gee whiz it was strong stuff... I had a constant dizzy for a week and once I was feeling well I had to gradually cut the dose instead of just quitting it, it was THAT addictive.

[Sapphire Silk]

Codeine is addictive, as it is an opiate. Its prescription only in the US as well. Technically it is Schedule 5, which means you can get it without a prescription but have to sign a log, usually as a cough syrup. But not all pharmacies will do that.

It's great mixed with Tylenol elixir or Robitussin elixir for sore throats and coughs. It soothes smooth muscles of the bronchi, reducing the urge to cough.

I also like it for dental issues and mild pain when Tylenol itself isn't enough. I know some docs who think it is "worthless", but I disagree . . . I think it depends a LOT on the ability of the patient to tolerate narcotics.

I don't tolerate narcs well: they really knock me into next week. Tylenol #3 (325mg Tylenol plus 15 mg Codeine) is my preferred med for my chronic kidney stones (of which I haven't had one in years, thank god) and after I got my gallbladder out.

[ShadowBall]

Oh wow, I had no idea there was a limit on OTC painkillers. Just reading the story of that last bitch makes me feel my blood pressure go up. Fuck her and her attitude - the store won't go under if she is no longer a customer. I hope she chokes on the next Tylenol she takes.

And by all means, have a chocolate. If it wouldn't interfere with your diet, I'd say have the biggest goddamn chunk of chocolate you could find. If I need my fix, I like munching some semi-sweet chocolate chips - I sate my craving without feeling bad about it afterward.

[Mike Taylor]

I Am NOT A Dog

These two women were so rude that two customers behind them commented on their behaviour afterwards. I started ringing their stuff up and bagging it, then picked up a hat to scan, and one of the women starts making wild hand gestures at me.

Me: What's wrong?

Woman: NOT IN THERE IN HERE! *Starts clicking her fingers and pointing from one bag to another*

Me: Ok, fine.

Woman: Stupid girl, no common sense, etc etc

Me: XX.XX please

Woman: Here stupid girl

Me: Have a nice day *thinking "bitch!"*

The next time someone does this to you, refuse them service. You have it within your power to do so. At the point where they become verbally abusive they cease being a customer.

[C. Cecil Ivanish]

Woman: Here stupid girl

I heard a person calling a checkout clerk stupid in our local supermarket once (the clerk was new and therefore slightly slower than average, but polite and apologetic). The store manager happened to overhear and called the police.

[RavenStarr]

[B][U] Stupid girl:

A customer asked one of my co-workers if he was stupid. Without missing a beat he said to her and said: "Well maam I guess it takes one to know one". Of course this is the part where you cue the catbutt face and the I'm reporting you to the manager for not taking my abuse.

[JustaCashier]

I heard a person calling a checkout clerk stupid in our local supermarket once (the clerk was new and therefore slightly slower than average, but polite and apologetic). The store manager happened to overhear and called the police.

As much as I detest abuse from "customers", verbal or otherwise, that seems like a little bit of overkill.
















But, I like it!


Mike

[Food Lady]

The paracetamol story makes my blood boil. I would've said, "No, I will NOT do it because [company] follows the LAW." I can argue that point allllll day. Bring it, SCs.

[Shalom]

So, a woman came to my till with some snow decorations from Christmas, and wanted to return them, without a receipt. Our return policy for a refund is 7 days, and you must have your receipt. I said no, she wouldn't listen and asked for a manager. I got a manager, who told her the same as I did. She left, saying she'd never shop with us again. Oh well.

"Fine by me. Can I please have your name to add to the list of customers who will no longer be served?"

I once had an SC pull the "I'm never coming here again" line on me. I just said "OK", and went on to the next customer. The SC started screaming at me "Aren't you going to take care of me?!" I said, "No. You just told me you're not my customer anymore. I figured I'd help someone who was." Probably got a call to Coprorate about that, but it was worth it. I mean this woman was notorious. Every time she came she had a problem... well how come you're the only one who does? What's the common factor here? I even told her straight out once, "If you hate this place so much, why do you keep coming back? There are five other pharmacies within three blocks of here. I'll be glad to transfer your records to any one of them." She didn't take me up on it; one of my techs said it was probably because she'd already been thrown out of all of them...

Codeine is addictive, as it is an opiate. Its prescription only in the US as well. Technically it is Schedule 5, which means you can get it without a prescription but have to sign a log, usually as a cough syrup. But not all pharmacies will do that.

Depends on the state. New York State will not sell any controlled substance without a prescription, period. [1] Here in New Jersey, you can still get Robitussin-AC without prescription, assuming you can find someone to sell it to you. My wholesaler doesn't even stock it in the 4oz size, which is the biggest you can get OTC. There were once a few other OTC schedule V meds (kaopectate with opium, stuff like that) but I think guaifenesin/codeine is the last one out there. I do have the narc log in my store because it's legally required, but there's nothing in it.

Note also that pure codeine is in Schedule II; it's actually the first on the list. If mixed with other stuff it's either C-III or C-V depending on the concentration. Tylenol/Codeine elixir is C-V; the tablets are C-III. Details are in 21CFR1308.12 through 1308.15, if anyone's interested.

[1] Of course this leads to interesting legal angles. The C-V meds must have the New York orange warning label on it, but if it has the legend (found on most drug labels) "Caution, Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription" on it, then it's technically misbranded because Federal law does NOT prohibit, only State law. Of course an inspector would have to be a real ass to write you up for that.

I know some docs who think it is "worthless", but I disagree . . . I think it depends a LOT on the ability of the patient to tolerate narcotics.

I don't tolerate narcs well: they really knock me into next week. Tylenol #3 (325mg Tylenol plus 15 mg Codeine) is my preferred med for my chronic kidney stones (of which I haven't had one in years, thank god) and after I got my gallbladder out.

Codeine is a pro-drug; it has to be converted to an active metabolite to work. (See here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16819548) I'm apparently one of those poor metabolizers, so it doesn't work for me. Neither does prednisone: I have to use its active metabolite (prednisolone) if I ever need a corticosteroid.

(One correction: Tylenol #3 has 30mg codeine. The #2s are 15mg.)

[Sapphire Silk]

(One correction: Tylenol #3 has 30mg codeine. The #2s are 15mg.)

Whups!

[LadyAndreca]

It takes deceptively little tylenol to be dangerous. I HAVE poisoned myself with excedrin (aspirin, tylenol and caffiene) before--I had the mother of all migraines, was confused and nauseous, and took three 24-hour doses in 24 hours thinking they were 8-hour doses. Once I realized what I'd done, I didn't take any other medication and just suffered the migraine, which lasted another full day after that. I spent the next week drinking so much water my coworkers thought I was becoming diabetic!

[C. Cecil Ivanish]

As much as I detest abuse from "customers", verbal or otherwise, that seems like a little bit of overkill.

Mah, not sure. An insult is always an insult. If the parts had been reversed I am sure we'd have seen the Army flying in.

But, I like it!

...I was sure

[lineswine]

There IS a version of paracetamol that has an antidote to the liver toxicity added to it - that antidote is the amino acid methionine. I don't know if it is sold in the USA, but in the UK it is branded as Paradote. The snag being it is a LOT more expensive - about 5 times so. But, if you value having a working liver, it might just be worth it.

[Sapphire Silk]

There IS a version of paracetamol that has an antidote to the liver toxicity added to it - that antidote is the amino acid methionine. I don't know if it is sold in the USA, but in the UK it is branded as Paradote. The snag being it is a LOT more expensive - about 5 times so. But, if you value having a working liver, it might just be worth it.

I've never heard of it before now. I looked it up and I can't seem to find that it is sold in the US.

I'm not real sure I'd like the idea of it being sold over the counter because it might give people a false sense of security, and because the long term risks are not known.

The British Medical Journal seems to agree.