Let's talk about drugs, ok?

I'm not talking about illegal drugs. I'm talking about drugs you get from a pharmacy, drugs that are prescribed by a doctor.

Specifically, I'm talking about the myriad prescription drugs that I've been prescribed in the last 2 1/2 weeks. When I got up this morning, I was actually amazed to see seven prescription drug bottles in my bathroom. I've never had so many prescription drugs at my disposal at the same time.

So I'm going to share with you what these drugs are, and what they're supposed to do for me, according to the information given me by the pharmacy.

1. Oxycodone and Acetaminophen (Percocet): This medicine is a combination of a narcotic and acetominophen used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Narcotic pain-relievers work by binding to opiod receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and acetominophen decreases the formation of prostaglandins, therefore reducing pain. This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

2. Naproxen: This medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and swelling (inflammation). It is also used to treat headaches, muscle aches, backaches, tendonitis, bursitis, dental pain, menstrual cramps, arthritis or gout. Naproxen may be used to reduce fever, or relieve minor aches and pain due to the common cold or flu. It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. This medicine works by blocking the enzyme in your body that makes prostaglandins. Decreasing prostaglandins helps to reduce pain, swelling and fever.

3. Metoclopramide: This medicine is a gastrointestinal stimulant used to treat gastroesophageal reflux and erosions/ulcers of the esophagus. It is also used to treat nausea, vomiting, heartburn, prolonged fullness after meals, and loss of appetite in patients with diabetes (diabetic gastropareisis). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

4. Hydrocodone (Vicadin): This medicine is a combination of a narcotic and acetominophen used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Narcotic pain-relievers work by binding to opiod receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and acetominophen decreases the formation of prostaglandins, therefore reducing pain. This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

5. Phenazopyridine: This medicine is a urinary tract analgesic used to relieve pain, burning, and other discomfort caused by infection or irritation of the lower urinary tract. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

6. Oxybutynin Extended Release (Ditropan XL): This is a long acting form of oxybutynin that is used to treat overactiva and urinary conditions. It relaxes the muscles in the bladder to help decreaseproblems of urgency and frequent urination. Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs known as antispasmodics. This medication is also used to treat children 6 years of age and older who have an overactive bladderdue to certain nerve disorders (e.g., spina bifida).

7. Sulfamethoxazole with Trimethoprim: This medication is a combination of two antibiotics used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections (e.g. middle ear, urinary, respiratoryand intestinal infections). It is also used to prevent and treat a certain type of pneumonia (pneumocystis-type). This medication should not be used in children less than two months of age due to the risk of serious side effects.

Fun, don't you think???