About Your Medications

An explanation of the common prescriptions given to you by your doctors are listed below. Please obtain ALL the prescriptions prescribed for you as soon as possible in order for your treatment plan to be successful.

Will I Have Pain After My Surgery?

Post surgical discomfort will differ from one person to the next. There is no way to predict how much discomfort you may experience. Some post-operative discomfort is expected and it is manageable with the specific medications, which your doctor will prescribe for you. Please use the medications ONLY as prescribed and if you have any questions regarding their use, feel free to call one of our offices. You may expect your discomfort to reach its peak within 36-48 hours after surgery.

Call us with any questions or to make an appointment...

TORADOL 10mg

WHY AM I TAKING TORADOL 10mg?
This medicine is used to prevent pain and swelling. It is non-narcotic, non-steroidal anti-pain, anti-swelling medicine. It’s the same category as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin,) Aspirin. This medicine must be taken at the specified time given by your doctor FOLLOWING adequate food intake, such as applesauce, yogurt, puddings, ice cream, pasta, etc.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF I DON’T EAT FIRST, OR IF I’M NOT HUNGRY?
Failure to eat adequately prior to taking Toradol will cause stomach upset, and/or nausea and vomiting.

SHOULD I START THE TORADOL EVEN THOUGH I’M STILL NUMB?
Toradol is to be taken on an every 6-hour schedule around the clock. The time of the first dose will be indicated on your prescription bottle. Failure to take the Toradol will lead to unnecessary pain and swelling. It is easier to manage the pain if you take the medicine BEFORE to much time passes. This medication usually doesn’t cause sleepiness.

DO I HAVE TO USE IT ALL UP?
We strongly recommend that you take the Toradol every six hours after a meal until done. The fact that you are comfortable and have very little swelling is a good indicator that the Toradol has been doing its job. Some patients will have more swelling than others but the Toradol, when taken properly, will help minimize it.

WHAT IF I STILL DON’T GET RELIEF AFTER 1 HOUR?
If you have been given a prescription for Percocet as well, you may take one half or a whole tablet one hour AFTER taking the Toradol and AFTER COATING THE STOMACH WITH FOOD AGAIN.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET A STOMACHACHE FROM THE MEDICINE?
Most often a stomachache or vomiting may result from not coating the stomach adequately with food before taking a pain pill. This does not mean you should stop taking it completely. Allow your stomach to settle down by taking either Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, Mylanta or Pepto-Bismol as directed on the bottle and then lay down. Once your stomach feels better, eat something mild, and resume the medication schedule. If necessary, you can split the pill in half and take half at a time 20 minutes apart. You may try to coat your stomach with Maalox before taking pill.

LODINE 400mg (ETODOLAC)

WHY AM I TAKING LODINE 400mg?
This medicine is used to prevent pain and swelling. It is non-narcotic, non-steroidal anti-pain, anti-swelling medicine. It is in a similar category of drug as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin,) Aspirin. This medicine must be taken at the specified time given by your doctor FOLLOWING adequate food intake, such as applesauce, yogurt, puddings, ice cream, pasta, etc.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF I DON’T EAT FIRST, OR IF I’M NOT HUNGRY?
Failure to eat adequately prior to taking Lodine will cause stomach upset, and/or nausea and vomiting.

SHOULD I START THE LODINE EVEN THOUGH I’M STILL NUMB?
Lodine is to be taken on an every 8-hour schedule around the clock. The time of the first dose will be indicated on your prescription bottle. Failure to take the Lodine will lead to unnecessary pain and swelling. It is easier to manage the pain if you take the medicine BEFORE to much time passes. This medication usually doesn’t cause sleepiness.

DO I HAVE TO USE IT ALL UP?
We strongly recommend that you take the Lodine every eight hours after a meal. The fact that you are comfortable and have very little swelling is a good indicator that the Lodine has been doing its job. Some patients will have more discomfort and swelling than others but the Lodine, when taken properly, will help minimize it.

WHAT IF I STILL DON’T GET RELIEF AFTER 1 HOUR?
If you have been given a prescription for Percocet as well, you may take one half or a whole tablet one hour AFTER taking the Toradol and AFTER COATING THE STOMACH WITH FOOD AGAIN.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET A STOMACHACHE FROM THE MEDICINE?
Most often a stomachache or vomiting may result from not coating the stomach adequately with food before taking a pain pill. This does not mean you should stop taking it completely. Allow your stomach to settle down by taking either Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, Mylanta or Pepto-Bismol as directed on the bottle and then lay down. Once your stomach feels better, eat something mild, and resume the medication schedule. If necessary, you can split the pill in half and take half at a time 20 minutes apart. You may try to coat your stomach with Maalox before taking pill.

PERCOCET (Oxycontin with acetaminophen)

WHY AM I TAKING PERCOCET?
This medicine is used to reduce moderate to severe pain. It is a narcotic. Since everyone responds differently to surgery, it is prudent to fill and have your Percocet available and on hand in order to manage severe pain. In most instances patients may need to use just a few tablets. Therefore, you will notice fewer pills are prescribed.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF I DON’T EAT FIRST, OR IF I’M NOT HUNGRY?
Failure to eat adequately prior to taking Percocet will increase your chances of an upset stomach, and/or nausea and vomiting.

CAN I DRIVE, OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY, DRINK ALCOHOL OR WORK WITH PERCOCET?
Refrain from operating an automobile or heavy machinery. Percocet can cause drowsiness, lightheadedness and euphoria nausea and vomiting. It is strongly advised that you rest at home, laying down, until the Percocet wears off approximately four hours later.

CAN I TAKE PERCOCET AND LODINE TOGETHER?
When Lodine alone is not enough for your pain, you may also take Percocet. Percocet must not be taken within the same hour as the Lodine to avoid stomach upset. A half or a whole pill may be taken 1 hour after taking Lodine and ONLY AFTER EATING FOOD TO COAT THE STOMACH.

CAN I BECOME ADDICTED TO PERCOCET?
Since Percocet is a narcotic, it is potentially addictive if abused for non-medical reasons such as taken in the absence of pain. Please keep all medications secured and away from children.

I FORGOT TO EAT BEFORE TAKING THE PAIN PILL AND NOW I FEEL SICK TO MY STOMACH! WHAT CAN I DO?
Take either Maalox, Milk of Magnesia or Pepto-Bismol as directed on the bottle, then lay down. Extra strength Tylenol is the only pain medicine you may use until ALL stomach discomfort is gone.

ANTIBIOTICS

WHAT IS ANTIBIOTICS FOR?
Some patients may receive a prescription for antibiotics. Antibiotics is used to prevent and treat infections. It should be taken until completion even if you have no pain or swelling. Please consult the pharmacy insert as to the proper directions for taking your specific antibiotic. It does NOT cause drowsiness. Try not to miss a dose. It should never be taken at the same time as Tetracycline. Also, any antibiotic can compromise the effectiveness of the Birth Control Pill so women taking birth control pills should use alternative means of contraception.

CAN I HAVE A BAD REACTION TO ANY OF THESE MEDICINES?
If any of these medications bring out a rash, hives or difficulty breathing, PLEASE DISCONTINUE its use and call us immediately. If for any reason we cannot be reached, contact your pharmacy, or your local Emergency room.