Over-The-Counter Pain And Fever Medicines: What You Should Know Before You Buy

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines provide us the comfort to deal with extra of life’s aches and pains ourselves from the consolation of our own residence. However, it’s usually overwhelming to know which one to go for when dozens of manufacturers and kinds can be found within the pharmacy and retailer aisles. They all deal with related signs, but work in another way and will carry totally different warnings.

So how are you aware which one to decide on?

1. Know The Types And Their Differences 

There are two most important forms of OTC ache relievers – paracetamol and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication) akin to aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. They each primarily do the identical factor, however the two substances work in another way and have totally different precautions, warnings and even dosing instructions.

One kind could also be extra appropriate for you than the opposite, based mostly in your age, well being circumstances, and different medicines you are taking.

• It’s vital to learn about drug-drug interactions particularly if you happen to’re taking prescription or a number of OTC medication on the similar time. While some medicines like paracetamol have fewer interactions with different generally obtainable OTCs for treating ache and fever, others might have the next threat of interactions with different medicines. If not sure all the time verify the label.
• Some medication may also work together with well being circumstances akin to diabetes, kidney illness and coronary heart circumstances or hypertension. Check along with your physician earlier than taking merchandise containing aspirin if you happen to’re taking a prescription blood thinner or if in case you have diabetes or gout.
• If you undergo from osteoarthritis, paracetamol is really useful by healthcare professionals to alleviate joint or OA ache notably if one is prone to abdomen ulceration.

This will not be a whole checklist. Always learn the label before you purchase and use medicines.

2. What does the label say?

Just as you wouldn’t ignore your physician’s directions for utilizing a prescription drugs, don’t ignore the labelled directions when taking OTCs. When selecting your drugs, verify the lively ingredient and take inventory of what different medicines you’re presently taking.

It is vital to know the ‘lively’ ingredient which makes the medication work to keep away from taking both a number of medicines that include the identical actives (which might result in unintentional overdose) or threat of interactions with medicines you’re already utilizing (which might have severe unwanted effects).

The drugs label will let you know what it’s used for, how to take it and any unwanted effects or dangers.

If you might have an allergy, current well being situation or any issues, do verify along with your physician or pharmacist first earlier than taking any drugs.

When deciding on ache or fever drugs for kids, be sure you selected the appropriate drugs and formulation. For younger youngsters beneath the age of 12 years, dose based mostly on their weight and never age for efficient fever and ache aid. It is finest to make use of the usual dosing machine supplied or buy an acceptable dosage machine really useful by your physician if the medication doesn’t include one to present the optimum dose to your youngster.

Here’s what to search for:

• Active ingredient: the substance in a medication that treats the situation
• Purposes/ Uses: product class and signs it would deal with, akin to fever and ache aid (antipyretic) or cough suppressant and so forth.
• Warning: when to not use the product, when to cease taking it, when to see a physician, and potential unwanted effects
• Directions: how a lot to take, take it, and the way lengthy to take it
• Other data: akin to storage data
• Inactive substances: substances akin to colors, flavouring or binders

three. Check for authenticity and contamination

Be vigilant when deciding to buy medicines on-line. Not all medicines bought on-line are made utilizing protected requirements. They could also be contaminated or not labelled, saved or shipped accurately or could also be counterfeit.1 So be certain that you purchase your drugs from trusted and licensed on-line retailers or pharmacists solely.

Also, verify the bundle for tampering and expiration date. Don’t purchase medicines if the packaging has been damaged or if the expiration date has handed because the product will not be protected or as efficient.

If you might be not sure which ache or fever drugs could also be best for you, or use it safely, listed here are some inquiries to ask your physician or pharmacist:

• Based on my age, medical historical past, and different medicines I’m presently taking, which OTC medicines can be best suited and efficient for me?
• What are the lively substances within the different medicines I’m taking? Could I be taking a number of doses by accident?
• Will this work together with my different medicines or dietary supplements?
• How lengthy can I take this drugs for?
• Should I take it with meals?
• Does it have to be refrigerated?
• What are some potential facet effects?

If the medication doesn’t present full aid or your signs persist, then it’s finest you discuss along with your physician to evaluate the explanations behind your signs and get advice for efficient fever and ache aid choices.

Children’s Dosing Chart for Paracetamol

As youngsters develop, so does the correct quantity of drugs. Whenever utilizing paracetamol, all the time learn and observe the label and dose based mostly in your youngster’s weight. If there’s a dosing machine that comes with the medication, use it as an alternative of teaspoons or tableware to keep away from the danger of dosing errors. It can be useful to maintain a report of the quantity of drugs given to your youngster every time and share this along with your youngster’s different caregivers to keep away from repeating a dose earlier than the really useful interval of Four-6 hours.

The beneath dosing chart is really useful to be stored wherever you retailer your medicines. This is appropriate for kids beneath 12 years previous.

* For youngsters aged 2 to three months, a single dose of 10 to 15 mg/kg applies for symptomatic aid of response on account of vaccination. Seek recommendation from a physician if excessive fever persists after a second dose. For different indications, solely use beneath medical recommendation.
** Maximum length of continued use with out medical recommendation: three days.

Health At Home is a part of GSK Consumer Healthcare’s broader dedication to coach and empower folks on use OTC medicines safely and appropriately.

For extra data, please converse to your physician or pharmacist.