What you can do to use medication wisely
Headlines tell a painful story. Accidental overdoses of acetaminophen are on the rise. Vioxx was pulled from the market because of potential heart risk. And prescription pain medication addiction is a problem.
So, how can you avoid common pain pill pitfalls?
See below for answers to these questions from Amy LeJeune, M.D., a UAB internal medicine specialist at the UAB Health Center Inverness, and UAB gastroenterologist Charles Wilcox, M.D.
ehealth: What are the most common over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers?
Dr. Wilcox: “I’d break them down into NSAIDs [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs], which include Advil, Aleve and aspirin, and then acetaminophen, which includes Tylenol.”
ehealth: What are some of the common misuses of these OTC drugs?
Dr. LeJeune: “People think if a little is good, then a lot must be better. They’ll take six ibuprofen tablets. That will eat your stomach alive.”
Dr. Wilcox: “Too short of an interval between doses and chronic use are also problems. Also, watch for taking multiple doses of the same drug. If you take Tylenol on top of the prescription painkiller Vicodin, you’re doubling your dose of acetaminophen without knowing it.”
ehealth: How can ibuprofen “eat your stomach alive”—and what are risks of common OTC painkillers?
Dr. Wilcox: “The main side effects of NSAIDs are stomach pain. But they can cause ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and less commonly, kidney damage and a spike in blood pressure. Too much acetaminophen can cause liver failure.”
ehealth: What about prescription narcotics such as codeine, morphine and other opioids—what are the common misuses and risks?
Dr. LeJeune: “People might call early for refills, share the drug with someone or try to get it from more than one doctor. We call that doctor shopping. Or, people might just take too much. The main risk of that is central nervous system depression.”
ehealth: How do I know my prescription pain medication is safe?
Dr. LeJeune: “When Vioxx was pulled, a lot of physicians became concerned about using Celebrex in patients with a history of heart disease. I suggest talking about the benefits and risks of any drug with your doctor and proceeding cautiously.”
ehealth: What tips can you offer for taking painkillers safely?
Dr. Wilcox: “Read the label. Don’t ever take a higher dose than recommended. And if you feel like you need more, call your doctor.”
Dr. LeJeune: “If you miss a dose, don’t go back and double up. Just start where you left off.