I had a tooth pulled last Friday and all the dentist gave me was Tylanol3 is it normal not to get Vicodin?

Yeah, Tylanol is very safe. It doesn't thin the blood, it's very difficult to accidentally take too many, and it doesn't have bad side affects. Vicodin, on the other hand, is often too strong for a pulled tooth. It has a lot of nasty side affects and, believe it or not, can be used illegally...but you knew that!

I agree with the other Drs. but as a side bar Vicodin tend to be a drug that is a lot more heavily abused than Tylenol 3.

Tylenol 3 is very similar to Vicodin. It should be adequate for an extraction. Call your dentist if you are not getting adequate pain relief.

Tylenol 3 is acetaminophen and codeine (15mg). Vicodin is acetaminophen and hydrocodone (5mg). Pretty much the same thing under a different name, except that Tylenol 3 is a bit stronger. (Tylenol 1 is 8mg, 2 is 12.8mg, 3 is 15mg and 4 is 30mg.)

We prescribe what we feel will be adequate to control the pain. Sometimes OTC pain meds are enough. Sometimes very strong Rx are needed. If T3 is not doing the job, let your dentist know.