My name is Terah Glass from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Orange County/Community Alliance Network (NCADD-OC/CAN). Attached is a Health Hints article about prescription (RX) and over-the-counter (OTC) Pain Relievers. Our goal is to increase knowledge and awareness of the dangers of RX/OTC drug abuse.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your time and attention.
Terah Glass
Health Educator
NCADD-OC/ CAN
5 Mason #150
Irvine, CA 92618
949.595.2288 ext.318
949.595.2284 (fax)
tglass@canoc.org
www.canoc.org
NAPS)—Pain relievers, when
used correctly, are safe and
effective. Millions of people use
these medicines every day. Not
using them according to the label
directions can have serious
consequences.
The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) wants consumers
to benefit from these medicines
and not be hurt by them.
You should know the active ingredients
and directions of all your
medicines before you use them.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
list all their active ingredients
on the package. For prescription
drugs, the leaflet that comes
with your prescription lists the
active ingredients contained in
the medicine.
Many OTC medicines sold for
different uses have the same
active ingredient. Also, active
ingredients in OTC medicines can
be ingredients in prescription
medicines. For example, a cold and-
cough remedy may have the
same active ingredient as a
headache remedy or a prescription
pain reliever.
There are basically two types
of OTC pain relievers. Some contain
acetaminophen and others
contain non-steriodal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs). These
medicines are used to relieve the
minor aches and pains associated
with headaches, colds, flu, arthritis,
toothaches, and menstrual
cramps.
These medicines are also used
to treat migraine headaches, and
to reduce fever.
Acetaminophen is a very common
pain reliever and fever
reducer. Taking too much of this
active ingredient can lead to liver
damage. The risk for liver damage
may be increased if you drink
three or more alcoholic drinks
while using acetaminophen-containing
medicines.
NSAIDs are common pain
relievers and fever reducers.
Examples of OTC NSAIDs are
aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen
sodium, and ketoprofen. Your
risk for stomach bleeding may
increase if you are over 60, taking
prescription blood thinners, have
previous stomach ulcers or other
bleeding problems.
If you have any of these
factors, you should talk to your
doctor before using NSAIDS.
NSAIDs can also cause
reversible damage to the kidneys.
The risk of kidney damage may
increase in people who are over
60, people who have high blood
pressure, heart disease or preexisting
kidney disease, and people
who are taking a diuretic.
The FDA recommends that you
talk with your healthcare professional
if you have questions about
using OTC medicine before using
it in combination with other medicines—
either OTC or prescription
medicine.
You can learn more about what
medicines are right for you by
reading the label carefully and
talking to your healthcare professional
or pharmacist.
For more information, visit
www.fda.gov or call 1-888-INFOFDA
