ACL Medication
It is also recommended that prescriptions for pain medications be filled on or before the day of surgery.
Patients are also prescribed a moderate narcotic analgesic, which may be used regularly during the first
week. Patients are encouraged to use Tylenol as well. In combination, a patient should take eight pills per
day. For severe pain, two narcotic pills will be necessary. For moderate pain, one narcotic and one Tylenol
will suffice. For nominal pain, two Tylenols work well.
Patients should recognize that most Class 2 and Class 3 medications are a combination of Hydrocodone or
oxycodone (an effective pain relief medication and NOT a form of "Codeine") and Acetaminophen (the active
ingredient in Tylenol). To prevent liver damage, a maximum of eight pills per day should be taken. These
medicines may cause side effects such as nausea and/or constipation, and for that reason their use should
be kept to a minimum. One must, however, take enough pain medication to successfully complete the required
exercises.
Two tablets of Tylenol PM (a preparation that includes Benedryl) should be used at night instead of
ordinary Tylenol, as this will make it easier to fall asleep.
