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The best way to take your
over-the-counter pain reliever?
Seriously.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers/fever reducers
(the kind you can buy without a prescription) are safe and effective
when used as directed. However, they can cause serious problems when
used by people with certain conditions or taking specific medicines.
They can also cause problems in people who take too much, or use
them for a longer period of time than the product’s
Drug
Facts
label
recommends. That is why it is important to follow label directions
carefully. If you have questions, talk to a pharmacist or health
care professional.
What are pain relievers/fever reducers?
There are two categories of over-the-counter pain
relievers/fever reducers: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Acetaminophen is used to relieve
headaches, muscle aches and fever. It is also found in many other
medicines, such as cough syrup and cold and sinus medicines. OTC
NSAIDs are used to help relieve pain and reduce fever. NSAIDs
include aspirin, naproxen, ketoprofen and ibuprofen, and are also
found in many medicines taken for colds, sinus pressure and
allergies.
How do I use pain relievers/fever reducers safely?
These products, when used occasionally and taken as
directed, are safe and effective. Read the labels of all your
over-the-counter medicines so you are aware of the correct
recommended dosage. If a measuring tool is provided with your
medicine, use it as directed.
What can happen if I do not use pain relievers/fever
reducers correctly?
Using too much acetaminophen can cause serious liver
damage, which may not be noticed for several days. NSAIDs, for some
people with certain medical problems, can lead to the development of
stomach bleeding and kidney disease.
What if I need to take more than one medicine?
There are many OTC medicines that contain the same
active ingredient. If you take several medicines that happen to
contain the same active ingredient, for example a pain reliever
along with a cough-cold-fever medicine, you might be taking two
times the normal dose and not know it. So read the label and avoid
taking multiple medicines that contain the same active ingredient or
talk to your pharmacist or health care professional.
Before using any medicine, remember to think
SAFER:
-
Speak
up
-
Ask
questions
-
Find
the facts
-
Evaluate
your choices
-
Read
the label
|
U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
www.fda.gov/cder
Consumer Education: Over-the-Counter Medicine
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Date created: January 22, 2004; Updated August 17, 2005 |