Tylenol 8hr arthritis pain vs Extra strength (surgery, removed, ears)

[JohKnip]

I just had a minor surgery to have a mole excised from my back. I'm a little worried about the pain I may feel after the lidocaine from the operation wears off. I have Extra strength Tylenol which has 500mg of acetaminophen and the 8hr arthritis Tylenol which has 650mg of acetaminophen. Which should I take for better pain relief? Does the fact that the 8hr Tylenol lasting 8 hours mean that it isn't actually stronger (just that it lasts longer) than the extra strength? I know I am thinking about this too much but it would definitely set my mind at ease if I could figure this out. Thank you!

[cb at sea]

You really should not feel that much PAIN...perhaps some discomfort for a few hours......but definitely not PAIN. Just take a regular tylenol if you need it.

I've had multiple "growths" removed from all areas of my body...and while I KNOW something was done, it certainly wasn't what I'd consider pain needing drugs of any kind.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by JohKnip

I just had a minor surgery to have a mole excised from my back. I'm a little worried about the pain I may feel after the lidocaine from the operation wears off. I have Extra strength Tylenol which has 500mg of acetaminophen and the 8hr arthritis Tylenol which has 650mg of acetaminophen. Which should I take for better pain relief? Does the fact that the 8hr Tylenol lasting 8 hours mean that it isn't actually stronger (just that it lasts longer) than the extra strength? I know I am thinking about this too much but it would definitely set my mind at ease if I could figure this out. Thank you!

You'll feel better not worrying about this so much. Anxiety tends to make pain worse. I'd be surprised you need much of any pain reliever for very long.

From what I've read about it, something intended to last 8 hours is designed to have a longer term residual effect. Doesn't mean its stronger, just that the formulation is supposed to be absorbed more slowly over a longer period of time.

Another thing to consider...if it isn't enough to relieve your pain initially, you need to wait longer before taking more of it. Do you want to be able to take more after 4 hours or 8?

A trick my GP told me years ago. For really intense pain a combination of a normal adult dose of acetaminophen plus a normal adult dose of ibuprofen can really knock it back. The two meds are metabolized and work differently. You do not want to do this for very long and never exceed the daily recommended dose for either med.

[old fed]

650mg is both stronger (650 > 500) and lasts longer, it's a longer lasting form.

for short term use like yours it's not really going to matter.