Is Your Pain Reliever Doing More Harm Than Good?

Whether it comes on fast or builds slowly, pain is just like a traffic jam: The sooner you can get through it, the better.

With the wealth of over-the-counter (OTC) pain remedies -- or analgesics -- available today, it seems that quickly getting through those aches and pains has never been easier. But are you sacrificing your safety for quick relief? Despite the fact that misuse of these medications can cause dangerous -- even life-threatening -- side effects, studies show that misuse is common. In fact, some people may be misusing nonprescription pain relievers without even knowing it. Make sure you're not one of them.

The nonprescription analgesics available today are generally safe when used correctly. So when you feel an OTC pain reliever is the best way to alleviate your aches, keep the following tips in mind to avoid inadvertently putting your health at risk.

Respect Their Strength

There are a growing number of pain relievers in a range of strengths and formulations that are available without a prescription. But despite the wide availability, do not underestimate their potency. These are serious drugs that should be approached with caution. Follow package instructions closely, using the medication only at appropriate time intervals and for appropriate symptoms.

Know What's in Your Meds

Read the labels of all your medications to determine which contain analgesics. You may be surprised to find out how many medications contain a pain reliever. For example, most cold, cough, and flu medications, as well as some sleep aids, contain analgesics. This means that if you have a cold and a headache and you take both a multisymptom cold reliever containing acetaminophen as well as a dose of pain-relieving Tylenol (also acetaminophen), you may be inadvertently exceeding a safe dose of acetaminophen. This type of scenario is a common cause of accidental overdoses.

Take Only What You Need

If you think that taking more than the recommended dose of an OTC pain medication will reduce pain more quickly, think again. Rather than increasing effectiveness, loading up on these medications increases your risk of serious side effects, such as ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding.

It's easy to overdo it with OTC pain relievers, so start with the lowest dose recommended, and increase the dose only if necessary. Taking the smallest amount you need for pain relief helps safeguard your health. If the maximum recommended dose doesn't provide relief, don't go above it. Instead, talk to your healthcare provider for advice.

Be Aware of Bad Interactions

Even properly administered OTC pain relievers can cause problems if they are mixed with the wrong things. For instance, mixing alcohol with aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium increases the chances of stomach upset and bleeding. And when acetaminophen is combined with alcohol, it increases the risk of serious damage to your liver -- even if acetaminophen is taken hours after excessive alcohol intake, such as for hangovers. The risks are higher if you have three or more drinks a day along with higher doses of acetaminophen. Also, avoid taking analgesics with milk or grapefruit juice; these beverages affect how the body absorbs the medication. Water is your best bet for washing down your medication.