Painkillers are very often a good way to temporarily relieve moderate to severe pain. However, there are side effects to any medication. Below are five things you should watch out for when taking pain medication:
Painkillers Might Interact With Other Medications
Always follow your doctor’s instructions carefully when taking pain medications. Painkillers can interact with over the counter and prescription medicines to produce frightening results. For instance, any painkiller that use ibuprofen will interact with aspirin. Ibuprofen also interacts with rheumatoid arthritis drugs and anti-depressants. Always make sure you’re aware of the drugs your medication will interact with.
Painkillers Can Make Your Symptoms Worse
New studies have shown that if you use painkillers too often, you might be in even greater pain afterward. For instance, regular use of codeine can lead to higher pain sensitivity, making you want to use even more of the drug. This creates a harmful cycle that can lead to addiction and dependence. For this reason, it’s recommended that patients not take codeine more than three days in a row.
Painkillers That Use Opiates Are Highly Addictive
People who suffer from chronic pain are often prescribed opiates as part of their therapy. If their opiate intake isn’t carefully managed, you could find yourself addicted to your medication.
An opiate overdose is very dangerous. Taking too big a dose can lead to respiratory arrest, nausea, vomiting, confusion and even death. Patients should be very careful when taking opiates and only do so under a doctor’s strict supervision.
Acetaminophen Can Cause Liver Damage
Acetaminophen is a common ingredient in over the counter pain medications such as Tylenol. Liver toxicity can occur when more than 4,000 milligrams are taken per day. Toxicity can occur in even lower doses when medications are mixed with moderate alcohol consumption or other medications. Even with over the counter drugs, you should be careful. Remember to always read the labels.
Even NSAIDs Can Have Side Effects
NSAIDs are anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen. Though there are usually no harmful side effects associated with these medicines, in rare cases patients have developed stomach ulcers. Other side effects include cardiovascular problems. If you notice any of these problems when you’re taking an NSAID, stop taking it and immediately call your doctor. You should never mix NSAIDs with other painkillers.
Always call your doctor if you experience minor side effects from painkillers. For severe side affects you should go immediately to the emergency room. If you think you might be addicted to painkillers, contact your local drug and alcohol rehab center immediately.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.