Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
(analgesics) and Fever Reducers (antipyretics)

The national education campaign provides advice on the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief products.

To obtain any of the graphic images for printing, please email your request to: dpapubs@fda.hhs.gov. 
You can also call:
301-827-1243 or 1-888-INFO-FDA

	Use Caution With Pain Relievers. FDA Consumer magazine, Jan-Feb 2003.
	Health Bulletin: Use Caution with Pain Relievers
	Health Hints: Use Caution with Pain Relievers
Print Public Service Announcements: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
	(Acetaminophen PSA): Why is it important to know that all these medicines contain acetaminophen? [HTML] or [PDF low resolution] or [PDF high resolution]
	(NSAIDs PSA): The best way to take your over-the-counter pain reliever? Seriously. [HTML] or [PDF low resolution] or [PDF high resolution]
Four-Panel Brochure
	The best way to take your over-the-counter pain reliever? Seriously. [HTML] or [PDF low resolution] or [PDF high resolution]
	¿Cuál Es La Mejor Manera de Tomar Su Medicina Comprada Sin Receta Médica? Con Seriedad. [texto - HTML] o PDF (baja resolución, versión para ver) o PDF (alta resolución, versión para imprimir)

Radio Public Service Announcements

"Acetaminophen – Read the Label"

The following are radio public service announcements for the safe use of acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter and prescription pain reliever and fever reducer. The audio files – one 20-second spot and one 30-second spot – are in mp3 format; the transcripts are in PDF format.

Title	Run Time	File Size	Transcript
"Acetaminophen – Read the Label"	00:00:20	316 KB	PDF
"Acetaminophen – Read the Label"	00:00:30	460 KB	PDF

Internet Public Service Announcement Banners

Sizes vary; 4-color; English; can be used on Web sites and linked to the pertinent "Consumer Education" Web page. Other sizes may be available upon request.

Title "Acetaminophen - Too much of this pain reliever can damage your liver. Read the label." JPG (120 x 240 pixels, for Web use) JPG (120 x 600 pixels, for Web use) FDA suggests that the banner graphic link to the Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers (analgesics) and Fever Reducers (antipyretics) Web page or the Consumer Education: Over-the-Counter Medicine Web page. Title "Knock out pain, not your liver." JPG (140 x 140 pixels, for Web use) FDA suggests that the banner graphic link to the Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers (analgesics) and Fever Reducers (antipyretics) Web page or the Consumer Education: Over-the-Counter Medicine Web page.

Other information and resources:

• FDA Patient Safety News: FDA Campaign on Safe Use of Analgesics and Antipyretics
• FDA Press Release: FDA Proposes Labeling Changes to Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
• Questions and Answers on Proposed rule for Labeling Changes to Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
• Science Background: Safety Concerns Associated with Over-the-Counter Drug Products Containing Analgesic/Antipyretic Active Ingredients for Internal Use. [HTML] or [PDF]
• Letter to State Boards Of Pharmacy  [HTML] or [PDF]
• FDA Press Release: FDA Launches Consumer Campaign on Safe Use of OTC Pain Products
• Questions and Answers on Using Over-the-Counter (OTC) Human Drug Products Containing Analgesic/Antipyretic Active Ingredients Safely
• "Consumer Education: What You Need to Know to Use Medicine Safely" Web site

PDF files require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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Date created: 1/22/2004; Updated 12/10/2007

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