There are many things you can do to ease pain. One of the most common ways is to take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. Also known as analgesics, these can help to relieve mild-to-moderate pain, and can also reduce a fever. But, like all medications, it’s important to know how to take analgesics correctly to get maximum pain relief, and reduce the risk of unwanted side-effects.
Millions of people around the world take OTC analgesics every day. When they’re taken correctly, they generally have few side effects and are effective in relieving mild-to-moderate aches and pains. Although you can find many different pain relieving products on the shelves of the pharmacy or supermarket, over the counter analgesics are usually either:
The article Choosing the appropriate Pain Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever provides more information about OTC analgesic options.
To make sure you use oral and topical pain relievers properly, here are some tips to remember.
Always read the label. Carefully read the label on the medication prior to taking it. The label will contain information on the ingredients included in the medicine, whether it should be applied topically or taken orally and how much, when and how often you can take or use it. Not all pain relievers are suitable for everyone and the label will help you to determine if it’s okay to use.
Know when to take the medication. In addition to knowing how often you are able to use a pain reliever, it’s important to remember that some oral analgesics should be taken with or after food, as they can upset the stomach.
Check to ensure the pain reliever is appropriate for you. Some pain relievers may not be suitable for people over a certain age or those with certain medical problems, such as heart disease. For more information on analgesic ingredients and who can take them, read the article Choosing the Appropriate Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever. If you’re still concerned, speak to your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Take care if you’re taking other medications. Oral pain relievers can interact with other medications, which may change the effect of one or both drugs, or lead to an unwanted reaction. There are different types of analgesics available and these can interact with different kinds of other medications. So if you or a family member is taking other prescription or over-the-counter medications, or dietary supplements, check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out which pain reliever is appropriate for you.
Don’t take more than the recommended dose. The product label on your medication will tell you what dose of pain reliever to use and how often to take it. Take care not to exceed the recommended dose, as this could result in an adverse reaction to the medication. If you require additional pain relief, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Don’t take two different products with the same active ingredient. There are many different pain relief products available and many contain the same type of analgesic ingredient. For example, it is important to take care while taking pain relievers and cold or flu products, as these often contain analgesics too. Taking two or more medicines with the same type of active ingredient can increase the chances of an adverse reaction. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for advice on taking different products together.
Don’t use analgesics for longer than you should. Most OTC analgesics are used to relieve pain that lasts for a few days at a time and the product label will tell you how long you can use the product.3 For the treatment of long-term (chronic) pain problems, you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice about which pain relief option are suitable for you.
Be aware of possible medicine allergies. Some people may be extremely sensitive to the active ingredients in some medications. This can cause a severe allergic reaction, including coughing, swelling of the lips, tongue or face, itchy skin, or hives. If you are concerned about a drug allergy or an allergic reaction to an ingredient in any type of OTC pain reliever, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using it. Some allergic symptoms for which you should seek urgent medical attention include:
Keep away from children. Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children at all times.
Taking the time to read the label on your medication and learning how to use OTC pain relievers correctly helps identify the appropriate pain relief for you and help to avoid side effects.