The Risks of Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers

Headache? Moderate joint or muscle pain? Who thinks twice about popping an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever these days? After all, people take these medications every day without any problems, right? OTC pain relievers can feel heaven-sent when you really need them. And they may be available without a prescription, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe to use all the time. There are risks and few know that.

The Risks of Taking Aspirin

Aspirin can reduce pain, cut fevers and relieve body inflammation. And regular use may help prevent blood clots, making it a first-line defense for some people looking to prevent a heart attack or stroke. It can work too well, though, raising the chances of excessive bleeding. Moreover, it’s irritating on the stomach, sometimes causing ulcers or gastritis. Aspirin and all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also carry about a 10% risk of triggering lung inflammation in people with asthma.

More scary still is that aspirin can be deadly to children recovering from certain viral illnesses, causing a rare complication called Reye’s syndrome. For this reason, children should never receive aspirin if there’s any possibility they have or have recently had a virus. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are safer alternatives for reducing fever and pain associated with the flu and other viral infections in children.

The Risks of Taking Acetaminophen

The leading cause of liver failure in the United States, acetaminophen sends about 80,000 people to the emergency room every year, according to Consumer Reports. That’s a lot of ER visits for such a seemingly safe medication. Many of these overdoses occur when people mistakenly take multiple medications that contain acetaminophen, which quickly becomes toxic to the liver in higher-than-recommended doses. People with liver problems shouldn’t take acetaminophen.

The Risks of Taking Ibuprofen

Are you at risk for a heart attack or stroke? Even a few months of using ibuprofen or similar NSAIDs could increase your chances of suffering a cardiovascular event. Ibuprofen may interfere with aspirin’s antiplatelet activity, and it can cause stomach issues similar to those caused by aspirin.

The risk of experiencing complications from ibuprofen is higher for those over 65, those who have a preexisting gastrointestinal issue or who take ibuprofen alongside other NSAIDs. People who take anti-clotting medications, steroids or SSRI antidepressants may also be at higher risk of adverse events when taking ibuprofen and similar NSAIDs. Talk to a doctor for advice on pain-relief options before adding ibuprofen into the mix with any of these types of medications.

The Risks of Taking Naproxen

Naproxen has the lowest cardiovascular risks among the NSAIDs tested, but it does still carry the same potential for dangerous gastrointestinal side effects. Long-term use can lead to kidney damage, especially in people taking diuretics, those living with progressive heart failure or those suffering from liver disease. Naproxen may also adversely interact with hundreds of other medications, so talk to a doctor to make sure naproxen is a safe option before taking it alongside anything else.

Most OTC pain relievers are safe for occasional use, but they aren't without risk and shouldn't be taken lightly. Make sure to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration of time, every time. Be especially careful about ever taking these medications alongside other things. Being a minimalist about OTC medications can help to ensure safety while also easing suffering.

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