Which OTC Painkiller Is Right For You, And What Are The Risks?

Headaches. Muscle pain. Menstrual cramps. Fevers. Tummy upsets. We all fall victim to ailments that can be remedied by over-the-counter painkillers sometimes, and 78 percent of us have no qualms about running to the pharmacy or to our personal medicine cabinet to get them.

A consumer poll revealed that a third of all Americans misuse over-the-counter medication in some way, usually by taking more than the recommended dose or combining different medications, and that many consumers lack appropriate information about the products they, sometimes routinely, rely on. 

This data is alarming — the fact that a painkiller is available over the counter often makes us think of the medication as completely safe, but even OTC painkillers carry risks, risks much greater than you may be aware of, and especially if you find yourself reaching for over-the-counter painkillers on a near-daily basis. 

Acetaminophen 

Acetaminophen, also known as Paracetamol, Panadol, and Tylenol, among other brand names, is an over-the-counter analgesic that can reduce fever and relieve toothaches, headaches, period cramps, backaches, muscle pain, and pain caused by arthritis. In contrast to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Acetaminophen does not help reduce inflammation. It's the most commonly used OTC medication in the US, with over 50 million people using it each week!

Acetaminophen is often recommended as a pain reliever for children because it is safer than other over the counter painkillers for them, but it is important to use a medication meant for children, in the right dose — which is determined on the basis of weight. Those who aren't sure what the right dosage is should consult their pharmacist. Acetaminophen is available as tablets, liquids, and suppositories.

Children should not be taking over-the-counter pain relievers that contain Acetaminophen without a doctor's recommendation for longer than three days in a row, while adults should not take these medications for longer than 10 days without seeing their doctor. Anyone who frequently finds themselves reaching for Acetaminophen should contact their doctor to discuss their symptoms, and discuss diagnosis and alternative treatment. 

What do you need to know about the safety of OTC products that contain Acetaminophen?

• Acetaminophen carries a lower risk of side effects than many other OTC painkillers — it is unlikely that you will experience stomach problems and heart problems as the result of taking Acetaminophen.
• However, there are risks. The FDA warns that you risk damaging your liver if you take one product that contains Acetaminophen for a headhache and then take another for cold symptoms while the initial drug is still active. The same risks apply if you take a higher dosage than recommend or take the next dose too early. The FDA also warns that Acetaminophen can cause skin rashes, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), some of which are potentially fatal. 

READ Over the Counter Medicines Hold Hidden Dangers

• Acetaminophen and alcohol are a bad combination. If you drink after having taken a product that contains Acetaminophen, your risk of side effects increases.
• Extended-release tablets containing Acetaminophen should never be chewed. This can cause the whole dose to be released at once, again increasing your risk of side effects dramatically. 

Should you experience a skin rash, swelling (especially of the tongue or throat), shortness of breath or light-headedness and dizziness after taking Acetaminophen, contact your doctor right away or seek emergency medical assistance. 

What Should You Know About Ibuprofen And Aspirin?

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is sold under remarkably many different names, including Advil, Medripren, Motrin, Nuprin, Children's Advil and Motrin, and PediaCare Fever. Like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen can be used to treat pain and fevers. It can additionally be used to reduce inflammation, making it suitable for the treatment of inflammatory conditions including gout. 

For adults, the maximum daily dosage is 3200 mg, and for children, dosage is based on weight and should be determined in consultation with your pharmacist. Should your pain last more than 10 days, or should you have a fever for more than three days, see your doctor before continuing use of Ibuprofen. For some conditions, the full benefit of Ibuprofen isn't experienced until after you have taken it for two weeks, but in this case, the medication will have been prescribed by your doctor.

Here's what you need to know:

• The FDA recently strengthened an existing warning that non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include Ibuprofen, increase your risk of having a heart attack and stroke, particularly if you use them in large doses and over long periods of time. 
• Contact your doctor immediately, or seek emergency medical help, if you have taken Ibuprofen and experience breathing difficulties, chest pain, slurred speech, or weakness on one side of your body. 
• Do not use any over-the counter NSAID if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or stomach or digestive tract bleeding, without consulting your doctor beforehand. 
• Check your blood pressure regularly while using Ibuprofen and tell your doctor if it is high. Inform your doctor about skin rashes, swelling, itchiness, a stiff neck, stomach upsets, and any other unusual symptoms you have after taking Ibuprofen as well. 
• Drinking a small amount of alcohol while using Ibuprofen is considered safe. 
• Do not lie down within 10 minutes of taking Ibuprofen and swallow it with a full glass of water unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Never use more than the recommended dosage, which includes not taking the next dose too soon.

Aspirin

Aspirin is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and it can be used to treat the same symptoms Ibuprofen treats. In addition, as a blood thinner, low doses of Aspirin may also be prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. The maximum dose for adults is 4,000 mg over a 24-hour period. As with Ibuprofen, you shouldn't take Aspirin for pain longer than 10 days or for fever longer than three days without consulting your doctor. 

Here's what else you need to know before you take Aspirin over the counter:

• Read the package insert and stick to the recommended dosage. If in doubt, remember that your pharmacist can answer your questions.
• Do not lie down within 10 minutes of taking Aspirin.
• Enteric-coated tablets should always be swallowed whole rather than chewed or crushed.
• Let your doctor know about easy bruising, slurred speech, weakness on one side, a stomach ache that doesn't get better, if you have any other unusual symptoms, or if the symptoms for which you are taking Aspirin do not get better after using it.
• Due to its blood-thinning properties, Aspirin is more likely to lead to stomach and intestinal bleeding than other OTC pain relievers.

READ The Dangers Of Over The Counter Pain Relievers

Yikes! I'm Scared Of Over The Counter Painkillers Now!

It is extremely important to be cognizant of the risks as well as the benefits of over-the-counter pain relievers. Remember that, if you follow the instructions given to you by your pharmacist and/or doctor, you are not allergic to the pain reliever you are taking, and you only use OTC painkillers very occasionally, you are very unlikely to experience any side effects whatsoever. However, if you're using painkillers frequently, do see your doctor to discuss the safest pain relief options for you, as well as to potentially identify treatment options that might rid you of your pain without having to rely on painkillers.