Residential and Outpatient Handbook - Plymouth - 81

you should not be taking. Make sure you check both
the active and inactive ingredients as many contain
alcohol as an " inactive " ingredient. If a medication that
you should not be taking is deemed medically necessary
by your health care professional, make sure you notify
your sponsor as well as your recovery team. It is also
important that you have a plan for use as well as a plan
to discontinue use.
Cold, allergy, and asthma medications
Most OTC cold and sinus preparations contain the
medication pseudoephedrine. This medication has
stimulant-like properties. It is very important that you
check for this ingredient and AVOID it.
A few examples of OTC medications that contain
pseudoephedrine are:
* Sudafed
* Advil Cold and Sinus
* Tylenol Cold Products
* Claritin-D
* DayQuil
* Zyrtec-D
* Mucinex-D
* Alavert-D
Other cold/allergy/asthma OTC medications to AVOID
(listed as generic, then a brand name):
* Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
* Clemastine (Tavist)
* Brompheriramine (Dimetapp Elixir)
* Ephedrine (Brokaid Primaten)
* Dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM-or any cough
syrup with " DM " )
* Nighttime preparations containing alcohol (i.e.,
NyQuil)
Some examples of medications/remedies that are SAFE
to take for cold, sinus, or allergy symptoms:
* Loratadine (Claritin, Alavert)
* NasalCrom nasal spray
* Saline nasal spray (Ocean)
* Cough drops (Halls)
* Vicks VapoRub, Vicks VapoSteam
80
* Sore throat lozenges
* Guaifenesin (Mucinex, Vicks 44E)
* Gargle with salt water
* Benzonatate (Tessalon Perles-Rx)
* Breathe Right nasal strips
* Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
* Fluticasone Nasal Spray (Flonase)
Pain medications
The first thing you need to say at any visit to the
emergency room or to any physician prescribing you
pain medication is that you are recovering from a
substance use disorder. The physician and you will then
create a plan to resolve your pain and maintain your
sobriety.
A few examples of medications that you should AVOID
are:
Opioids-Rx:
* Fentanyl (Duragesic patches)
* Morphine
* Codeine (Tylenol #3)
* Oxycodone (Percodan, Percocet, Oxycontin)
* Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Vicoprofen, Lortab)
* Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
* Oxymorphone (Opana)
* Tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet)
* Proproxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet)
Some physicians prescribe other medications for
pain that are also mood altering and addictive. Some
anti-convulsant medications may help with nerve
pain. Check this handout or talk to your doctor before
adding them to your treatment plan. AVOID using all
benzodiazepines (listed under " Psychiatric Medications "
in this guide).
Be careful with visits to the dentist. If you are going to
have a procedure done, AVOID using nitrous oxide or
" laughing gas. "
Injectable forms of pain relief such as Lidocaine or
Novocaine are better because they provide the numbing
pain relief without the mind-altering effect.
Residential and Outpatient Handbook - Plymouth

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