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Jaw Surgery Pain Management

Hycet elixir is a narcotic that comes in a liquid form Generic name:  hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen oral solution 7.5mg/325mg per 15ml.  The maximum is 90ml /day.

Norco is a narcotic that comes in a tablet form

Generic name:  hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablet form is10mg/325mg.   The maximum dose is 6 tablets/day.  You can break the tablet in half

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal ant-inflammatory medication that comes in liguid and tablet form.  The  brand name is Motrin or Advil like medications. It is not only an analgesic but also anti-inflammatory.  It has a greater benefit in recovery than the narcotics. Ibuprofen oral suspension 50mg/1.25ml.  Thus, 10 ml is 400mg and 15ml is 600mg

Take Ibuprofen with food.   

Guidelines

  • It is not possible or safe to eliminate all pain.

  • It can be reduced to a tolerable level.

  • Stay on top of the pain.  Do not allow the pain to become out of control.

  • Alternate the pain medications every 3 hours, especially the first 3 to 7 days after surgery

  • Take th pain medication with food

  • Use the prescribed narcotic to take away the pain, but the Ibuprofen will help reduce the inflammation from surgery.  The narcotic does not help with this.

  • The narcotic can cause nausea, vomiting and constipation. These are side effects not an allergic reaction. Limit its use.

  • By the second week after surgery, try to use only the Ibuprofen. Use the narcotic sparingly.

  • If you find taking the liquid form of the medications then the tablet version of the narcotis is called Norco and we would suggest using the gel capsule version of the Ibuprofen.

  • By the end of the second week, the vast majority of our patients are off of all pain medications with only the occasional use of ibuprofen.

  • By the third week, many of our patients are returning to school and to work. They will use gel or tablet form of the Ibuprofen as needed. Do not take narcotics at school or work.

Sample Pain Management  Regimen

The following is only a sample timetable to be adjusted for dosage and times for each patient. 

 

The First 3 to 4 days at Home

Alternate the narcotic with ibuprofen every 3 hours.

Adjust the amount and timing

 

6AM                            Ibuprofen elixir  10-15ml

9AM                            Hycet elixir        15ml

12Noon                       Ibuprofen elixir  10-15ml

3PM                            Hycet elixir        15ml

6PM                            Ibuprofen elixir  10-15ml

9PM                            Hycet elixir        15ml

 

After the first 3 to 4 days at Home

Please limit the use of narcotics.

Adjust the amount and timing of Ibuprofen

Begin using the gel or tablet form of Ibuprofen

*If the Ibuprofen is not enough then use Hycet

Many of our patients tell us they use the narcotic only in the evening.

 

6AM                            Ibuprofen elixir    10-15ml*

9AM                            Ibuprofen elixir    10-15ml*

12Noon                       Ibuprofen elixir    10-15ml*

3PM                            Ibuprofen elixir    10-15ml*

6PM                            Ibuprofen elixir    10-15ml*

9PM                            Hycet elixir          15ml*

 

The Third Week at Work/School

By now you should only need Ibuprofen. Do not take narcotics at school or work.

 

If you find taking the liquid form of the medications difficult then the tablet version of the narcotic is called Norco. Take 1 tablet of the Norco instead of the Hycet. You can break the Norco tablet in half.  Take the tablet or gel capsule version of the Ibuprofen instead of the liquid

 

 

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