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Safe Pain Relief

Recent studies have shown that the over-the-counter pain relievers could have dangerous side effects.  Use these medications in a safer way with this guide.


Over-the-counter pain relievers, or OTCs are commonly used to treat minor aches and pains associated with headaches, fever, cold, flu and arthritis.  These medications mainly fit into two categories:

1.Acetaminophen: Found in over 600 OTC and prescription medicines including pain relievers, cough suppressants, and cold medications.
2.Non-steroidal anti-anflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Commonly used to relieve fever and minor aches and pains.  Aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen are common forms. 

Follow these steps to avoid serious side effects:

Use medication as directed.  Follow your health care professional's instructions carefully.  Do not change the dose of pain medication you are taking without first speaking to your doctor.  Pain medications should never be shared with anyone else. 

With acetaminophen:  Taking a higher dose than recommended will not provide more relief and can be dangerous.  Too much of this drug can lead to liver damage and death.  The risk of liver damage increases in people who drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day while using the medicine.  Caution should be taken when giving acetaminophen to children.  Infant drop medications can be significantly stronger than regular children's medications.  Follow the label every time you use the medicine.

With NSAIDs:  Too much of this medicine can cause stomach bleeding.  The risk increases in people who are over 60, are taking a diuretic, have high blood pressure, heart disease or pre-existing kidney disease. 

Know the Active Ingredients.  A specific concern with OTC pain medicine is when products sold for different uses have the same active ingredient.  For example, a cold and cough remedy your taking may have the same active ingredient as a headache remedy.  Minimize your risk of an accidental overdose by avoiding the use of multiple medications with the same active ingredient at the same time. 

Misuse and abuse of pain medications can be very dangerous.  This includes over-the-counter medications.  Just because you don't need a prescription for them doesn't mean they cannot be abused. 
 

Source: www.webmd.com