Analgesics

Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in more than 500 OTC and prescription medications. These include products for cold, allergy, headache and sleep. 

Benefits: For many people, acetaminophen provides pain relief without the stomach upset and other common side effects of NSAIDs. For that reason, it’s often the first pain treatment of choice, particularly for pain not related to inflammation and for people who can’t take NSAIDs. When taken according to instructions on the label, it is generally safe.

Risks: Because acetaminophen is a common ingredient in many products, it’s possible to get too much if you are already taking it for pain and are not diligent about reading ingredient labels. When taken in too-high doses or along with alcohol, it can cause severe liver damage, which can be fatal.
 

Conventional opioids are drugs that are chemically similar to, but more powerful than, the body’s natural pain relievers (endorphins). They work by binding to receptors on cells mainly in the brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal system. Atypical opioids were developed to relieve pain with less risk than conventional opioids. They work in different ways, but their effects on pain are similar to conventional opioids.

Benefits:  Like your body’s natural endorphins, opioids dull pain perception and promote feelings of pleasure and well-being, mainly when used short term. This makes them particularly beneficial for acute pain, such as the pain from surgery, a broken bone or an acute flare of arthritis. 

Risks: Over time, your body develops a tolerance for opioids. That means it takes larger doses of the drugs to achieve the same results. In some cases, the pleasurable feelings that  the drugs promote lead to addiction – a craving for the drug’s effects despite negative consequences. By acting on pain receptors in the brain, opioids slow breathing. Taking too high of a dose, or taking them with other drugs that slow breathing, can be fatal. 
 

Solution: Drink more liquids (except alcohol or sugary drinks) throughout the day and eat plenty of foods high in fiber such as oatmeal, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. 

Solution: Drowsiness is worst the first 72 hours of beginning an opioid, so avoid driving or doing anything that requires close attention until you know how your body reacts. If drowsiness persists, speak with your doctor about lowering the dose or investigating other causes of your drowsiness. 
 

Solution: Like drowsiness, nausea usually subsides within 72 hours of a new prescription. In the meantime, avoid spicy foods and strong odors, sip cold water and lie down with a cool towel on your head and neck. If nausea persists more than a few days, ask your doctor about a medication to treat nausea.

Solution: Apply cool compresses or moisturizers to itchy skin. Ask your doctor about using an antihistamine. 

Solution: Sip on water and other fluids (except alcohol or sugary drinks) throughout the day to keep your mouth moist and suck on sugar-free candies to promote saliva flow. Avoid mouth washes containing alcohol.  Ask your doctor if you need to lower your medication dosage or use an artificial saliva substitute. 

• Take no more than 4,000 mg daily. (If you take acetaminophen regularly and/or have health problems, your limit should be 3,000 mg daily.) Always read product labels to ensure you are not taking more than the daily limit if you use other OTC medicines. 

• Limit alcohol intake to no more than two drinks a day.

•  Never take more than your prescribed dose for the shortest time possible. 

•  If you take opioids regularly, see your doctor frequently for monitoring.

•  Use a single provider for opioid prescriptions and a single pharmacy to fill them.

•  Let all your doctors know you are taking an opioid, particularly before they prescribe a new medication. 

•  Avoid alcohol if you are taking an opioid. 

•  Don’t stop taking an opioid abruptly. Your doctor will need to slowly taper the dose to help you avoid withdrawal symptoms.