Many over-the-counter ache drugs can be found, however are all of them the identical? And the way a lot do you have to actually take?
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When hit with a headache or fever, individuals usually attain for over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) as their first line of protection.
Used accurately, these medication will be protected and efficient for ache reduction. Meaning following the directions on the label and the recommendation of a well being care supplier.
“However that is not how we take these drugs in actual life,” says Trisha Pasricha, a doctor and teacher at Harvard Medical Faculty. Some individuals take an excessive amount of ache remedy too shortly, misdiagnose an ailment and take the improper drug, or unknowingly take a number of ache relievers on the similar time.
One research revealed in 2018, for instance, discovered that 15% of over 1,300 survey individuals exceeded day by day NSAID dosages, and most individuals did not acknowledge that every one the merchandise they had been taking had been NSAIDs.
These behaviors can result in severe unwanted effects, from bloating and nausea all the best way as much as coronary heart assault and stroke, Pasricha says.
To forestall these dangers, the well being care professionals we spoke to for this story say it is essential to get to know the painkillers in your drugs cupboard. Listed below are 10 issues they want you knew about these medication.
1. Acetaminophen is normally the higher alternative for fevers, says College of California San Francisco (UCSF) scientific pharmacist Sweet Tsourounis. Generally often called Tylenol, it is thought to cut back fever and relieve minor aches and pains by elevating your physique’s ache threshold and regulating your physique temperature. It is also gentler on the physique than NSAIDs are.
2. NSAIDs are typically thought of simpler than acetaminophen for ache reduction, Tsourounis says, particularly for inflammatory ache like muscle aches. Whereas acetaminophen is believed to work solely on the central nervous system, NSAIDs equivalent to aspirin, ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (like Aleve) work all through the physique to cut back irritation, ache and fever.
3. Taking an excessive amount of acetaminophen at one time or too many doses shut collectively may cause liver injury, Tsourounis says. So stick to three,000 milligrams of the drug at most per day, and do not combine it with alcohol, which can be laborious on the liver.
4. NSAIDs carry dangers to the intestine and the center. Widespread unwanted effects embrace abdomen ache, heartburn and bloating. It’s also possible to expertise extra severe injury like ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding or kidney injury should you take NSAIDs at too excessive a dose and even only for too lengthy a time interval, Pasricha says. And non-aspirin NSAIDs have the potential to lift your blood stress. Each NSAID has a unique max dose, so take note of your labels.
5. If you happen to’re unsure which painkiller to make use of or how a lot to take, discuss to a pharmacist, says Blamoh Twegbe, pharmacy supervisor at UCSF outpatient pharmacy. “Please make the most of us. That is what we’re right here for!” They might help you make an knowledgeable determination by asking about your kind of ache and persistent circumstances and by checking any potential drug interactions.
6. There is a restrict to how a lot ache NSAIDs can deal with, Pasricha says. If you happen to take greater than the beneficial dosage or multiple kind of NSAID directly — for instance, combining Motrin and Aleve — you are rising your threat of unwanted effects with out getting any extra ache reduction. If you happen to really feel your over-the-counter (OTC) medication aren’t working, discuss to a physician or pharmacist as a substitute of ignoring the warning label.
If you happen to’re often taking the identical over-the-counter ache drugs, discuss to your physician about alternate options that may higher deal with your signs.
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7. If you happen to’re habitually reaching for a similar OTC ache remedy, discuss to your well being care supplier. For instance, should you’re taking naproxen day-after-day of your interval each month due to muscle cramps. Pasricha says that ache may sign a bigger underlying well being downside that may very well be higher handled with prescription remedy, way of life adjustments or each.
8. Watch out for by accident overmedicating with a mixture OTC medication. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs are sometimes included in a number of different sick-day treatments, like migraine remedy, allergy capsules or all-in-one chilly and flu medicines, Twegbe says. So while you’re not feeling effectively, double-check your labels earlier than assuming you want a dose of Tylenol on high of these cold-relief meds.
Alternating between acetaminophen and an NSAID like ibuprofen will be protected and efficient for ache administration.
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9. Alternate between NSAIDs and acetaminophen to handle main ache and scale back unwanted effects. If you happen to’re affected by the flu or nursing a brand new damage and wish robust and regular ache reduction, switching between acetaminophen and an NSAID like ibuprofen each few hours could be a protected and efficient method that will help you cope till your signs subside, Twegbe says. Simply be certain that to observe beneficial dosages and dosing occasions for every remedy.
10. Assume past capsules.  As a result of over-the-counter ache relievers are so available, individuals usually overlook that capsules aren’t the one possibility when affected by minor aches and pains, Pasricha says. Many NSAIDs and different analgesics can be found in topical type, like lotions or patches, and might supply comparable reduction with out the potential unwanted effects to your intestine.
There are additionally nonmedication treatments, like heating pads to ease again ache or exercising in water for arthritis. Discuss to your physician about your alternate options, Pasricha says. “They may even management your ache extra reliably than simply taking drugs.”
The digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib. The visible editor is Beck Harlan. We would love to listen to from you. Go away us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or e mail us at LifeKit@npr.org.
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