Many of us tend to think about over-the-counter (OTC) drugs as being safer than their prescription counterparts, maybe because there are no gatekeepers holding us back from using them at our discretion. In truth, over-the-counter medication is still medication and each can have serious health risks of their own but this is especially true when we combine them with other drugs. Though this list is not...
How often do you take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers? Did you know you could be increasing your chances of serious, even life-threatening side effects? The benefits and risks are slightly different with each type, which makes some more risky than others depending on your health. We have the breakdown for you, so you can take appropriate steps if you feel that is necessary. OTC 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...
Over the past several decades, doctors have routinely prescribed a daily aspirin for patients at risk for cardiovascular incidents. However, new studies have shown that low-dose aspirin therapy may - not - be for everyone. In certain individuals, the risks - such as internal bleeding in the skull - often outweigh the rewards. The findings have prompted the - American Heart Association - to issue new...
Aspirin is a salicylate (derived from a plant) and is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The earliest uses of this drug date back to the Greek physician Hippocrates in the 5-th- century B.C. He used a powder extracted from willow’s bark. It works by blocking a certain natural substance in your body to reduce pain and swelling. Today you can walk into most any store and purchase this product....