Pharmaceutical question
 

I hope you don't think this an odd question. Years ago when I lived in Ontario, a pain reliever called 222 (I think that's what it was called) was available OTC. Is this still available in pharmacies? Thanks.

In BC we had 222 available over the counter and 292 by prescription. Neither are now available OTC and Doctors here generally prescribe Tylenol 3 or Tylenol 3 with codeine as extra strength. There are probably some generic ones available as well but they'ld still require a prescription.

I overheard someone ask a pharmacist for them the other day. He said some drugstores may still have some old stock but the previous post is right - tylenol 3's are the choice of prescription.

You can buy Tylenol #1 over the counter which has 1/4 grain codeine... which I believe is the same amount of codeine as the 222's were. These are not available in the USA over the counter, so if you need them, getting them in Canada is a good idea. You will have to ask for them at the prescription counter, but they are not prescription. They just keep them there rather than out on the open counter.
If you do want them, and want to save money, you can get the generic brand for less. Just be sure to aske for their own brand of tylenol #1, the "NUMBER 1" being the important part.
When I go to the USA, I always make sure I take enough, because I know I can't get them in the states.

one more thing.... Number 1's are the strongest OTC pain killer. As mentioned above, tylenol 3's are prescription, as are tylenol 2's.
Extra strength tylenol does not have any codeine, simply more of the tylenol. HOpe this helps.

Thanks for the replies. I'll be in BC next week and look forward to being in Canada again.

I have a question regarding this subject. Are Americans allowed to bring this Tylenol with codeine back over the border? I had someone ask me to bring this back for them and I refused thinking I would get in trouble.

Regarding codeine - it is possible to buy over-the-counter cough medicine with codeine in Canada, but not US. Have done this on a few trips - probably not legal to bring back, but am not sure.

Regarding Tylenol and Extra Strength Tylenol - in US, one Tylenol tablet is about 300 mg. One extra strength is about 500 mg of the same medication - no other drugs added. So 3 regular Tylenol are the equivalent of 2 Extra Strength - and it is usually cheaper to take it this way than buy the extra strength tabs.

Just to clear up what might be a bit of confusion: 222's are aspirin with codeine, while Tylenol 1,2, and 3 are Tylenol (acetominophen) with codeine. I know that here in Ontario you can buy Tylenol #1 over the counter (you might have to ask the pharmacist for it, but you won't need a prescription) so I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to get 222's as well, since the amount of codeine is the same. I use Tylenol-based products rather than aspirin, so I haven't bought any 222s in years, but I'm making that assumption. 292s would be equivalent to Tylenol 3 in terms of the amount of codeine. In terms of bringing these products across the border: I don't think you'd get into any trouble. My kids visit regularly from the US and often take OTC products with them that they would have to have prescribed at home, and similarly I buy cortisone 1%cream in the US because we can only get .5% here without a script.

Valerie,
Although I certainly can't say for sure, I really don't think it would be a problem taking Tylenol #1 home to the States. As a Canadian, I've never been questioned and I always have a big bottle with me.

I'm not an expert on customs regulations and I would suggest checking with the US Customs services regarding legal imports into the US and with the Canadian Service for imports into Canada. Having said that, I am a retired police officer who worked very close to the US border and it is my recollection that it is illegal (and considered smuggling) to import any drug into the US that requires an Rx unless the person importing it has an Rx. Since codeine is considered a drug of abuse in the US, mere possession of it without the required Rx may be considered about the same way way Canada would consider the attempted importation of a handgun.

I know people do it all the time and get away with it but, if you're caught, it's going to spoil your whole day, may cost a lot of money to resolve, and at least potentially exposes you to criminal penalties.

I would also consider that security procedures can change drastically at the broder depending on the threat level at any given time. At least for me, the risks involved in smuggling would not be worth the reward.