don't know what the naltrexone is (maybe another opiod like Methadone???)

It actually blocks the effects of opioids, and it doesn't produce any euphoric effects.

Hmmm. Thing is, that sounds as if it needs to be injected and monitored. I'm thinking more total layperson, quick and dirty.

Tep, yousendit isn't cooperating with Nic's computer. He's sending the WAV file to me, and I'll try resending.

Stoopid huge file. Stoopid brilliant song that I Must Have On CD. Stoopid history.

Librium doesn't need to be injected. FWIW. I mean, it might for that specific withdrawal protocol, but Librium comes in handy pill form. It is a prescription medication, though.

Hmmm. Thing is, that sounds as if it needs to be injected and monitored. I'm thinking more total layperson, quick and dirty.

In thaat case, I'd say Darvon, codeine, vicodin/percoset, and the like. Tylenol 3 has codeine and is a prescription drug, but it's wicked easy to get in the ER, sadly. (Also, I'm almost positive that Jilli said there's an OTC drug in England for menstrual "complaints" that has codeine in it, though in a VERY small amount -- I don't know where your scene is going to be set [US or UK or elsewhere], but that would be a quick and dirty OTC source of codeine.)

Ah -- voici: [link] and [link]

Teppy, a related question (as in, also about pharmaceuticals): what would Mass General have given JP in a big bottle, as a painkiller in case of flareups of the angio injection site pain? Keeping in mind that, with the MS, that pain would a) be very likely, and b) not helpable with neurontin? Percocet, Darvon, what? None of those drugs have any effect on me; I not only don't see how anyone can get addicted to them, I have a deep suspicion that they're really just M&Ms. So I'm ignorant on the painkiller stuff.

And that info is what I'm writing next - whatcha got, ma'am?

Also, just checked status of WAV file and it's almost completely sent. Crossing fingers.

edit: YAY! yousendit has completed sending the WAV file. Is there? Hang on, I'm-a calling you on the phone in a moment.

Deb, I think Darvocet, Percoset, and Vicodin are generally the painkillers of choice these days, for lots of stuff, so any of those would work as something they'd prescribe to him.

Phone convo with Teppy and I'm pretty sure that the ideal - and likely - script of choice would be for tylenol 3 - it has codeine in it, and isn't a traditional NSAID with the associated blood-thinning stuff.

Off to finish writing the section. Y'all rock.

the ideal - and likely - script of choice would be for tylenol 3

Oh, yeah. I forgot about that one. Codeine is a good thing, too. Yay for Teppy!

All kinds of yay for all of you brilliant people.

Look! Big giant plot point!

And, oddly, a blood pressure drug, clonidine, has been used effectively in withdrawal cases since 1978-ish, though I don't know if your character(s) would know that. Its potential side effects are (obviously) hypotension and its accompanying symptoms (dizziness, cold extremities), as well as sedation.

As one who was on clonidine for several months, I can definitely testify to the sedation effects of that shit. An hour and a half after taking a pill, I would fall asleep no matter what I was doing. I had to reschedule driving errands around that damned stuff.