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Subscribe to RSSIf you cannot find Tylenol pain reliever at your local CVS store this flu season, it might be because that store is no longer stocking it.
CVS this month changed how it stocks Tylenol at its stores in the wake of manufacturing problems at the drug's maker, Johnson & Johnson, that have disrupted supplies for more than three years.
Under the new plan, CVS will try to have Tylenol in stores in each market, but will not have it in every store, spokesman Michael DeAngelis said.
The company is getting enough Tylenol to stock about half of its 7,400 U.S. stores, and it changed the stocking of Tylenol to eliminate empty spots on shelves where the medication would have been.
The move by the drugstore unit of CVS Caremark Corp, the second largest such unit in the United States, could be a sign of the difficulty J&J faces as it tries to fix quality-control problems and rebuild its Tylenol business.
A spokesman for J&J's McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit, which makes Tylenol, did not return Reuters' calls seeking comment.
Since 2009, faulty manufacturing has prompted J&J's McNeil unit to recall millions of bottles and packages of Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin and other over-the-counter medicines.
At the same time, CVS and other retailers have been putting more emphasis on their private-label products, which cost less than brand-name products but can be more profitable for retailers.
The length of time it has taken for J&J to upgrade its factories and ramp up manufacturing of Tylenol has given consumers plenty of time to try the store brand and decide whether they want to pay more for Tylenol, Stephanie Prymas, Consumer health analyst at market data researcher Euromonitor International, said.
"That's a pretty long time for private-label to gain some credibility," Prymas said.
In 2009, before the recalls started, Tylenol had 56 percent of the U.S. market share for acetaminophen, the chemical name of Tylenol, according to Euromonitor. In 2012, that was down to 24 percent. At the same time, private-label market share has grown from 32 percent to 62 percent.
Prymas said that private-label products are more accepted now than 20 years ago, when deaths linked to cyanide-tainted capsules caused Tylenol to be pulled from store shelves. Private-label offerings are now more commonplace and trusted, she said.
"We're kind of expecting private label to hold on more tenaciously to what they have captured," Prymas said.
A visit to a CVS store on Chicago's North Side on Sunday showed no obvious signs that Tylenol extra strength pain reliever for adults had ever been on the shelves or any spaces for the medication had to be restocked. Instead, the shelves were well-stocked with the CVS brand.
DeAngelis declined to say whether the supply of Tylenol had changed in recent weeks to prompt the new distribution plan.
A spokesman for Walgreen Co, the largest U.S. drugstore chain, said that company has seen no change in its supply of Tylenol products.
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I shop at CVS and buy the store brand every time. Why pay more to have Tylenol stamped on the bottle?
I shop Walmart because CVS is a big big ripoff
Walmart's business practices are atrocious. Not sure about CVS
CVS brand products don't work they rip you off when you are trying to save money, don't buy them.
CVS just raises its prices, offers a "savings" card/coupon, that give you the cost that's the same as across the street, so I go across the street.
When it comes to medications, generic, store brand medications contain exactly the same active ingredient as the name brand. It may have a different coloring but otherwise, it's exactly the same. CVS branded acetaminophen works just the same as Tylenol.
Jennj,The generics are supposed to contain the same active ingredient and the same amount as the brand name however,even prescription medications made right here in the U.S have been found to have that active ingredient amount shorted.Generics from India do not work as well and their facilities have been found to be dirty.CVS used to carry generics made in Canada and those were identical to the brand name products.
Krandal,
Absolutely false. Thanks for playing.
Cleaning Lady,
You are, self admittedly, JUST a cleaning lady. Please don't talk like you know anything about drugs, active ingredients, and where drugs are manufactured.
Most BRAND name drugs are made outside the US (primarily in India). The generics have to be within very strict limits from the branded drug before they can be approved. This is not just in terms of the amount of drug- but even down to the way the body absorbs the drug and what levels it reaches in the body.
Signed,
Your friendly neighborhood (non CVS) pharmacist. Who happens to usegenerics for himself and his family because they are much cheaper and just as effective.
Totally agree! There are only a few drugs that should never be substituted, Coumadin being one of the most important. The absorption rate may vary. This from a retired RN and mother of a congenital heart patient. If people think they are getting brand names in the hospital I got news for them, they will get the cheapest generic in most instances.
The cyanide-tainted capsules were 30 years ago, not 20.
27 years,not 30, not 20....it was 27 years ago.
The first Tylenol cyanide murder was September 29, 1982. They continued through October of 1982. That would make it 30 years ago.
Who cares?
Probably the families of those who were killed, Harry.
Very true hockeymom!!!!!! Only insensitive bastards would have that kind of response!!!
Wait a minute weren't the capsules tainted and then returned to the shelves not defective from the factory?
acetaminophen is a liver poison even in it's stated dose. Aspirin is a very safe and effective replacement for Tylenol but makes no $$$ for drug companies. that is why the public was told long ago about the NEW wonder drug... ie tylenol. It's a freaking scam how pharma co's could give a rat's ass about what's good for you over their stockholder's happiness.
Yep, I'm an aspirin taker, too. It just works better.
Is aleve safe?
Wrong
Not at it's stated dose according to my doctor and medscape and NIH. But acetominophen active dose is closer to toxic dose than ibuprofen.
Some people say asperin would never be passed if they had to apply for that via the FDA nowadays. IT makes stomachs bleed too easily. It was grandfathered in...on the market before drug testing
I agree that aspirin works best for many, including me. However, when you are on a blood thinner, such as warfarin, aspirin is a no-no and that leaves the recommended replacement: Tylenol.
Tylenol or aceteminophen is in dam* near everything you buy for colds etc., and it is poisonous if not monitored carefully. Trying to find something not containing it as a combined " medicine" is very difficult. But possible if you're patient. But too many don't realize the cumulative effects can be deadly. Take two Tylenol for a headache, then add a combo for a cold, add cough meds, and you're over-dosing. That company has made enough dollars over-dosing people. Enough already!
Vlad don't take aspirin with the flu. lol
Aspirin is more dangerous for your stomach and can have very serious bleeding risks that tylenol doesn't have. If you want to use an NSAID medication- use Ibuprofen or Naproxen, both of which have lower bleeding risks (but similar gastric risks).
Tylenol is safe and effective at its stated max dose (3gm/day). Tylenol is very dangerous when not used correctly and overdosed- but that doesn't mean it isn't a safe and efficacious medication.
Signed,
Your friendly neighborhood pharmacist
Booklover... you might want to see if your Dr has read these studies:
Aspirin vs warfarin: which is better?
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/05may/Pages/warfarin-aspirin-anti-bloodclot-trial.aspx
and
Aspirin is as 'good as warfarin' for most heart failure patients
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17925581
warfarin is aspirin on roids... I always opt for the least effective dose with the lowest side effects if I must take a drug. aspirin might be a better drug for you... check it out, just saying...
Vlad...
Don't talk about things that you don't understand.
Those studies explicitly state "people with heart failure and a regular heart rhythm". There is NO indication for warfarin in heartfailure UNLESS the patient has an abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation).
Heck: even the article says as much "Anti-clotting medications such as aspirin or warfarin aren't always part of the standard medical treatment of heart failure, but they may be judged suitable for people who are also at increased risk of blood clots due to related problems such as cardiovascular disease."
What you are talking about has no business in this conversation. Aspirin is NOT a substitute for warfarin in patients that have an indication for warfarin. Using aspirin instead of warfarin could have disastrous consequences.
Signed,
YFN RPh
Vlad,
I'll also add that other than the patient friendly description of "blood thinner" aspirin and warfarin have NOTHING in common. They work in completely different ways and are used for completely different reasons.
Aspirin: COX-2 inhibition of platelet activation
Warfarin: Vitamin K antagonism reducing production of clotting factors 7,9,10,2 (which have nothing to do with platelets).
Laurali : I only trust my doc's advice so far, they are only human ya know (just don't ask their opinion on their humanity... hehe.)
to quote you "But acetominophen active dose is closer to toxic dose than ibuprofen."
So the question I have to ask is: do I want to be even close to what drug studies are willing to admit what a toxic dose is. My personal answer is no. Getting a close to toxic dose every time I need a otc concoction (acetaminophen is in so many) is not a risk I am willing to accept because the liver does not regenerate very well and I only got what I got for this life :-).
As for the sites (NIH and medscape [webMD]) they show and link plenty of studies that bring into question the safety of acetaminophen and for some of the pro Tylenol studies you just have to read between the lines.
Hi Gus,
"aspirin might be a better drug for you"
OK?
got it?
I know four people in about the last year that have been taken off warfarin and given aspirin instead... just sayin' doc.
Vlad,
Depends on so much more than just "might be a better drug for you".
Afib patients who score less than 2 on the CHADS-2 risk score may be eligible for aspirin. Otherwise, in all other circumstances, warfarin is chosen for a reason.
Aspirin doesn't prevent active clots (DVT/PE). Aspirin doesn't reduce the risks of stroke in afib in patients with modetrate-high risk of stroke.
Linking to studies that don't apply to the conversation and telling someone "you might want to see if your Dr has read these studies" seems a bit off.
It also doesn't change the fact that if someone is taking warfarin, their only choice is tylenol because of the additional bleeding risks.
I have to ask though.
Why are you willing to take a drug like aspirin, which is clearly documented to increase bleeding risks? Why don't you take ibuprofen or naproxen instead? Based on your thoughts about the "risks" of tylenol- why would you be willing to risk a major bleed when you could take something much safer? Like tylenol :).
Hi Gus,
I wasn't prescribing, just saying you might want to look into it. Knowledge doesn't have to be scary. Heck, I appreciate what you have taught me today, thanks. But, btw, aspirin does reduce clotting for dvt per ne jmed:
http://pulmccm.org/2012/randomized-controlled-trials/an-aspirin-a-day-keeps-recurrent-dvt-and-pe-away-rct-nejm/
I have no problems with using aspirin for pain and blood thinning... none. Just don't take it for fever... fever is a good response to fight sickness, mostly.
It seems you really have it out for aspirin, but I don't. We could quote studies till the cows come home but I got a shyte load of work calling me... hehe
Thanks and peace
Gus, I'll take aspirin over tylenol anyday. If I have a headache, Tylenol gives me a migraine.
Meh I would go with none of the above; ibuprofen and aspirin can both cause stomach bleeding and acetominophen can cause liver damage, good nutrition, posture and activity should ward off most pain and should any chronic pain be unbearable THEN go for the pain relievers and go to the doctor, these pain killers are all dangerous in sufficient amounts people!
I find the CVS store brand for children to be very harsh. It makes my daughter cough, so I buy the name brand.
I know, tylenol has done a good job making very okay-tasting children's preparations. I'm a child's weight and have difficulty swallowing pills especially if I'm not feeling great, and the name brands definitely are better...
Agreed - - for some reason, the store brands for the children's medications just don't seem to go over as well as the name brand.
CVS's brand of arthritis strength pills is not as effective as Tylenol-it's like a scavenger hunt trying to find stores that have Tylenol in stock. Clerks at Target have told me people buy 3 and 4 bottles at a time when they do get it in because Walgreens and Walmart advertise they have Tylenol and instead stock only their weak brands!
did you check if "arthritis strength" has same # of grams of acetominophen as the arthritis strength in Tylenol? It may not.
And note that there are other brands besided store brand and Tylenol...and other stores. One might work well for you.
CVS brand Tylenol works fine for me.
Market researchers say that people get attached to brands emotionally...
Personally, I buy store brands but consumers have the right to choose for themselves. I think all these large chain stores are squeezing out name brands because they make more money off their private labels. Basically they are taking away consumer choice. I buy store brands of drugs because... so far... I've been given no reason to doubt the quality. This could change. As far as I've seen anything these people do is about profit, not customer satisfaction. This country runs on profit.
Don't really care since my daughter has outgrown the Children's Tylenol Cold meds, and ibuprofen works better for my headaches.
I used to work for CVS as a Pharmacy Tech back in 2006 - 2007.
They started then pushing their own brand instead of name brands.
I no longer shop with them, I go to Walgreens or Target.
how is the second and third line related or is it?
I dont find it unethical to push own brands. If you compare ingredients you can get the same drug at a cheaper price.
As am alcoholic for 30 yrs I knew better than to take the stuff. Now that I quit drinking I have tried it and found it no better than aspirin.
I'm caught when it comes to analgesics. I don't (usually) take acetaminophen because I have hep C (and if you drank heavily for 30 years you should stay clear of it as well) and am hesitant to take aspirin or ibuprofen or any other NSAID because of gastrontestinal (GI) bleeding and upset. I generally choose a low dose of Ibuprofen, but am glad I don't have a lot of pain issues. For muscle aches, Valtoren gel or another NSAID topical is a great alternative- bypasses the GI system.
BTW, fellow liver-impaired people, did you know that green tea is another no-no? I read it on an FDA facts sheet. Rats, I love my green tea.
If you took regular strength Tylenol everyday for a year or less you won't have a liver. If you drink and take Tylenol you won't have a liver in week or less.
Raymond pronounces from on high
Many people with arthritis take regular strength Tylenol every day for years...decades. Rheumatologists routinely prescribe it as part of the pain control plan. My mother does. She gets liver function tests yearly just to be sure. All is well.
CVS stores are terrible now, when They were Longs it was a good store.
They do seem to reproduce like a virus. There are five of them within about five minutes driving time of my house, and probably 10 within 10 minutes. And more are coming. Talk about market over-saturation. There is one CVS I can stand in front of, look down the street, and see another CVS two blocks away. It is insane, and destroys competition.
But, um, the ads say that Johnson & Johnson is a "family company". LOL.
You're thinking of SC Johnson & Co (private "family" company). Totally different than J&J (public company).
Hmm. Interesting that no other retailers seem to be having problems getting Tylenol, what is CVS's problem? Or maybe they've just reduced their purchasing of Tylenol and and using "supply problems" as an excuse. Also who manufactures the CVS store brand?
As an independent pharmacy owner in NC, our wholesaler (supplier of around 1700 stores) has had difficulty supplying us with brand Tylenol. We did recently get some of the arthritis-strength, and periodically can get a few of the regular and/or extra strength. We also have rearranged our analgesic area to get rid of those gaping holes. If they ever get the supply issue straightened out, we'll make room, but I have to turn a certain amount of product to pay the rent!
I wish we had an independant pharmacy in my area. Instead there are stupidly 2 CVS' a mile apart. Only pharmacy in our town/within a few miles.
Tylenol is difficult to locate in CVS, but is available online from them in several strengths and can be shipped to you. Handy and saves driving around. I just ordered some yesterday.
I don't understand why anybody would use acetaminophen when anything else works just as well (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) Acetaminophen wreaks havoc on your liver - research it a little. It doesn't take a lot of the stuff to put you into liver failure.
I have heard something in regards to this, which is why I & practically everyone should NOT pop pills or any meds into our system for just any simple aches & pains as to most are accustomed to. Especially for those of us who are drinkers!!! Its bad enough were doing damage by drinking & would ONLY worsen the blow that our liver takes!!!
Any pain reliever from CVS is over-priced, including their house brands. I use grocery store (Publix) brand acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. They all have the same active ingredient, work just fine and are cheaper than dirt.
This reminds me...Can anyone tell me what happened to the brand "Theraflu"?!?!?!
Last I saw, the last packages were being sold at Dollar Tree stores down here in San Diego for ONLY $1 buck!!!!!
Production of several of their product lines has been suspended following an FDA inspection of the facility. Much of what was at issue was related to policies and procedures not being followed in regards to product mix-ups. There were multiple reports of tablets in bottles with capsules, etc. with no follow up or identification where the "contamination" was occurring. The complete report is available at
sorry, I blipped it out..here's the link
well, the link won't copy. my bad.
Nothing wrong with generic brands as long as they don't come from China or India. As for the "strength" of the product, go by the grams, not the number of capsules.
BW,CVS brand show the american distributor on the outsides of their boxes.Once you open the package you will notice that many of their generics say Dr Reddy and that is a company in India who was admonished a couple of years ago by the FDA.Their generic antacid for Pepcid is made by Dr Reddy's and is inferior to Pepsid.I suspect that they are not putting the same milligrams of the antacid in their pills.Target's generic and Walgreen's generic for Pepsid are also inferior.
It was a sad day when CVS bought out Longs drugstore.The post office removed their mailbox and they no loner offer mail service for UPSP,UPS or FedEx as the post office said it wasn't making enough money for them.So it's off the Rite Aid and Walgreen's for me.CVS doesn't hold a candle to Longs drugstores.I don't use Tyenol anyway as it upsets my stomach.I use plain old fashioned aspirin.
Tylenol is very dangerous for stomach pain because, you never know if those pains were from gallstones. If a person have gallstones, the bile is blocked and the liver is unable to get rid of toxin. The Tylenol medical then built up very quickly in the liver and can result in liver failure. There should be a label warning people of taking Tylenol for stomach pain.
Most people take antacids or proton pump inhibitors, not acetaminophen for stomach pains. Anyone who takes Tylenol is seriously misguided.
I just recently ended a 10 year employment with CVS... it's my understanding that CVS doesn't have the buying power that Wal-Mart or Walgreens has. Add that to the manufacturing problems of J&J, and you get minimal stock for CVS stores. They are not purposely trying to push the brand name off of their shelves, but they do absolutely see it as an opportunity to promote the CVS brand. It's a business, after all, and they do make more profit on it. Personally, i always buy the generic. The pharmacists don't lie to the customers when they recommend it, they take them too.. the ingredients don't lie.
Krys2 - I believe that CVS is having difficulty in getting Tylenol supplied when Wal-Mart and Walgreens aren't having difficulty.
Working in purchasing and production for a manufacturing plant I can tell you first hand that Wal-Mart comes first for any company that sells product in their stores. P&G (Procter & God) even bend to Wal-Mart.
I use generic for most products. I know that many generic products are identical to the name brand, all it takes is a couple packaging component changes on the production line.... but the bulk is still the same.
I take Tylenol because it works for me. When my head is foo-foo, I dont care about money.
But I still dont really know why it was pulled from the market? I want more info!!
IMO - All the Big Pharma Co's. and any of their Drugs are a risk to take ! PRESCRIBED or OTC .
CUZ THEY ARE ONLY IN IT FOR THE BIG PAYDAYS !
Not many do it to help anyone anymore !