Health
Hints: Use Caution with Pain Relievers
(NAPS) -- Pain relievers, when used correctly, are
safe and effective. Millions of people use these medicines everyday.
Not using them according to the label directions can have serious
consequences.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants you
to benefit from your medicines and not be hurt by them. You should
know the active ingredients and directions of all your medicines
before you use them.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines list all their active
ingredients on the package. For prescription drugs, the leaflet that
comes with your prescription lists the active ingredients contained in
the medicine.
Many OTC medicines sold for different uses have the
same active ingredient. Also, active ingredients in OTC medicines can
be ingredients in prescription medicines. For example, a
cold-and-cough remedy may have the same active ingredient as a
headache remedy or a prescription pain reliever.
There are basically two types of OTC pain relievers.
Some contain acetaminophen and others contain non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medicines are used to relieve
the minor aches and pains associated with:
headaches
colds
flu
arthritis
toothaches
menstrual cramps
These medicines are also used to treat migraine
headaches, and to reduce fever.
Acetaminophen is a very common pain reliever and fever
reducer. Taking too much of this active ingredient can lead to liver
damage. The risk for liver damage may be increased if you drink three
or more alcoholic drinks while using acetaminophen-containing
medicines.
NSAIDs are common pain relievers and fever reducers.
Examples of OTC NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and
ketoprofen. There are some factors that can increase your risk for
stomach bleeding:
if you are over 60
taking prescription blood thinners
have previous stomach ulcers or
other bleeding problems
If you have any of these factors, you should talk to
your Doctor before using NSAIDS.
NSAIDs can also cause reversible damage to the
kidneys. The risk of kidney damage may increase in:
people who are over 60
people who have high blood pressure, heart disease
or pre-existing kidney disease
people who are taking a diuretic
The FDA recommends that you talk with your healthcare
professional if you have questions about using an OTC medicine before
using it in combination with other medicines -- either OTC or
prescription medicine.
You can learn more about what medicines are right for
you by reading the label carefully and talking to your healthcare
professional or pharmacist.
For more information, visit http://www.fda.gov
or call 1-888-INFOFDA.
Consumer
Education: Over-the-Counter Medicine
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Date created: January 22, 2004 |