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The recent withdrawals of the prescription medications Vioxx and Bextra from the marketplace have many people concerned. Studies show that the use of Vioxx could increase the likelihood of strokes and heart attacks; Bextra carries those same risks and also increases the chances of contracting Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a potentially fatal skin disease. Frequently prescribed to minimize the inflammation and pain of arthritis, these prescription drugs belong to a family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors.

COX-2 inhibitors are a relatively recent breakthrough in medicine; they interfere with the COX-2 enzyme, which causes pain and inflammation, without interfering with COX-1, which protects the stomach lining.. Previous anti-inflammatory drugs eased the symptoms, but also interfered with COX-1, leaving many patients suffering from gastric discomfort.

While everyone who has been taking either Vioxx or Bextra would be well advised to see their doctor immediately, they might also wish to consider whether or not they should seek an attorney. While most people who have been taking these drugs have not suffered from adverse effects, anyone who has suffered from a heart attack, stroke, or other unusual symptoms while taking these medications may have grounds for a lawsuit. People who believe that they have been harmed by their use of Vioxx have already filed numerous lawsuits; similar suits involving Bextra are now being prepared. These suits are generally brought forth by attorneys who are experienced in drug litigation. A meeting with such an attorney, along with information from your physician, can probably help determine whether or not a prescribed COX-2 inhibitor may have harmed you. He or she can also advise you as to whether it would be in your best interest to either file a lawsuit or participate in a class-action suit, in which you and a number of other people with similar claims would file a suit as a group.

Throughout time there have always been two opposing points of view as to how to maintain good health, or how to regain it after having lost it. This conflict has continued since ancient times …. and no doubt will continue well into the future.

One ’side’ believes good health is as a result of outside intervention… drugs, surgery etc. The other ’side’ believes that good health results from living in harmony with natural law… correct nutrition… cleanliness etc.

Both sides tended to be critical of the other… nothing much has changed over the ages.

Modern mainstream western medicine takes the ‘outside’ approach. However, in recent years the “inside” approach which has always been the underlying principle behind Chinese traditional medicine has gained much ground. The increase in the popularity of the ‘Inside’ approach is no doubt due to a combination of several factors:

• Known Prescription drug side effects
• Dissatisfaction of traditional mainstream medicine
• Increasing cases of medical ‘misadventure’. (Hospitals are places to stay away from.)
• Awareness that good health is primarily a personal responsibility… not of overworked physicians.
• An increasing awareness that the medical industry is highly influenced by drug companies and that there are often better, safer and more economic natural alternatives to drugs.
• Major Drug recalls have evidenced that many potential prescription drug side effects are not known …. and may never be

In spite of this justified ’swing’ away from mainstream medicine and the growing importance of prescription drug side effects, mainstream medicine does have a place in everyone’s health program … part from the obvious ones in treating accident cases or chronic urgent illness. So, if you are already a proponent of the “inside” approach don’t overlook the benefits that mainstream medicine can offer to you in your overall quest for good health and longevity. These benefits are primarily in the early detection of a pending disease that you may not as yet be aware of!

Prescription drug side effects: A potential conflict

Let’s say your tests show that your cholesterol is ‘out of whack’, your ‘mainstream’ physician may first propose lowering your intake of diet cholesterol. That’s unlikely to be successful as ingested cholesterol only makes up a relatively small percentage of blood cholesterol.

They will next likely propose one of the cholesterol lowering drugs commonly known as “statins”. These are drugs that work by blocking an enzyme that your liver needs to manufacture cholesterol. (Up to 80% of your blood cholesterol is manufactured by your liver, NOT from the ingestion of cholesterol within your diet).

These drugs are very powerful and statin drug side effects are serious, including death. In fact Bayers were recently forced to withdraw their statin drug from the market place because of “unacceptable” levels of fatalities. In spite of such prescription drug side effects, sales of statin drugs amount to billions of dollars per year and are commonly prescribed.

It’s ironic that there are natural alternatives to these statin drugs which can assist in lowering cholesterol, and do it safely, and without side effects. But the general public hears very little about them as they are not patentable and there is not the financial incentive for the big corporate’s to promote them.

The same principle applies for many different ailments. There can be many legitimate methods of treatments. What is important is that you seek out the natural alternatives and apply them before agreeing to subject yourself to negative Prescription drug side effects.

Pharmaceutical drugs are “blockers” and do not normally heal the underlying ailment. They generally work by suppressing natural functions such as certain enzymes mentioned earlier when giving the “statin” example. Because of this process, results are often “instant” and as such there is sometimes a place for these powerful prescription drugs in the case of life threatening emergencies.

In contrast, natural products such as herbs, vitamins, etc. are “enablers”. They work at correcting the cause of the ailment which is often a nutrient deficiency of some sort. The results are not immediate and have to be measured in weeks, or even months.

If you have a serious ailment, work with your physician to try and correct it… by first using natural remedies. If she or he is not familiar with the treatment you would like to try, do some further research and get hold of supporting information so you are in a better position to discuss the options intelligently. If your physician has a closed mind to natural remedies it may be wise to ask around and find another qualified physician with an open mind. The consequences of prescription drug side effects are too serious.

Marc Deschamps is the editor of Health Longevity Magazine, a free online publication, featuring articles full of information on various health topics such as common diseases, immune support, cardiac, mental & sexual health plus appropriate solutions to help you find the road to health longevity.

Have you ever taken the drug Vioxx or celebrex? In September 2004 the drug manufacturer Merck decided to recall the product after long term data suggested a serious potential side effect.

This drug and others like it such as as ‘Celebrex’, ‘Bextra’ and ‘Arcoxia’ are part of a family of drugs known as “COX2 drugs” or “COX2 inhibitors”

They have been developed with, ironically, patient safety in mind.They are typically used in treatment of arthritis, though high dose vioxx was promoted for short term relief of acute muscular/skeletal pains.They were anti-inflammatory drugs.

The serious side effects were in connection with the heart suggesting risk of heart disease or heart attack.In medical circles it was referred to as “..adverse cardiovascular effects.”

There are other drugs used to treat inflammation that have been around for many years.YOu may have heard of products such as Advil or Nurofen which contain the ingredient Ibuprofen.Other older anti-inflammatory drugs include such brands as Voltarol or Naprosyn.

What’s the difference between these older drugs and the recent treatments know as “COX2 drugs”?

The newer drugs such as Arcoxia,Celebrex and Vioxx were designed to be much more specific in their mode action than old drugs like Ibuprofen.The idea was to limit the associated problems in long term treatment.

When we get older we all seem to get more sensitive to side effects of drugs.Often this is complicated even more by the fact that we may suffer from more than one problem or disease at the same time.

At this point we take more medication in the last five to ten years of our lives than in all the other years put together! Is it any wonder we might feel under the weather, a little off colour even?

You could have asthma and high blood pressure. Anxiety and lack of sleep every night. Panic attacks and depression.

If you take an anti-inflammatory drug for a given length of time, your doctor/physician will no doubt tell you about one major problem.

Ulceration of the stomach or intestines…..

It was hoped that the newer COX2 drugs would not cause this problem at all.Therefore it would avoid the risk of someone suffering internal bleeding which could become fatal.

The older you become the greater the risk of this occuring. It could be a slow blood loss or a sudden episode of an ulcer bleeding more profusely.

So when people got the signs of ulcers, they got treatment for an ulcer. Some would stop taking medication and others would take a maintenance dose to prevent ulcers coming back while continuing to take the old ibuprofen drugs for their arthritis.

It was hoped drugs like vioxx would stop this, but ulceration still remains a possibility. Doctors routinely consider offering anti ulcer drugs to reduce the probability of this happening.

So what is the all the recent fuss about ? Where did it all suddenly seem to unravel after all that hope and expectation ? A new long term study seemed to indicate some degree of risk to the heart some 18 months or so after starting treatment.

So if you took vioxx for a week or a couple of months, this potential problem did not appear.It has only been spotted after taking the medication for a longer period such as 18 months.

What can you do? Are there ways to reduce risks? This is something you need advice on as only your doctor will have your medical history.There is much to consider and such a problem can in some circumstances be minimised.

Of course if you smoke you increase the risk of stomach or intestinal ulceration if you also take anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen.Why not quit instead?

If you take other medication for depression or anxiety then these drugs can increase the risk of bleeding with any anti-inflammatory drug being taken at the same time.

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Xanax is a Prescription Drug which is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the Xanax medication. Nevert take more than the prescribed amount of xanax or take it longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if Xanax is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. As per xanax prescription, sudden discontinuation of the medication may result in seizures as its side effect that is why a doctor always recommends a gradual reduction in dose. Xanax prescription is provided for the relief of anxiety disorders and depression, and is usually is taken three times a day. The instructions on the prescription label must be followed exactly. Do not take xanax for more than four months without consulting a doctor. Alprazolam/Xanax should not be stopped without consulting your doctor, because stopping xanax drug abruptly can cause seizures, delirium, and withdrawal symptoms. A doctor only can guide you on how to decrease your dose slowly.

Alprazolam/ comes in tablet form, and the xanax prescription label will tell you the correct dose. Online pharmacist can answer any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Take alprazolam exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Do not take more than what is prescribed for you. Alprazolam is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Withdrawal effects which follow when alprazolam is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use can sometimes be overwhelming. Always consult a doctor on how to gradually reduce the dose.

Xanax / Alprazolam should be avoided in the following conditions: Activities requiring mental alertness As with other CNS depressant drugs, patients are cautioned against the use of these drugs during activities requiring mental alertness, judgment and physical coordination as well as activities like driving or operating machinery.

Anxiety/Xanax medication should be taken strictly according to xanax prescription with care particularly in the early phases of treatment of anxiety attacks, until proper adjustment to side effects has been established.

Alcohol and Xanax should never be mixed in when driving because of this combination may have unpredictable CNS depressant effects on your brain. During pregnancies and nursing Xanax is not recommended during pregnancies as per xanax prescription of experts. Anxiety medication studies have suggested an increased risk of congenital malformations associated with the use of the Benzodiazepine during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Studies have indicated that Xanax / Alprazolam and its metabolites are secreted into the milk. Therefore, nursing should not be undertaken while the mother is taking the drug.

To children Till now, no proper safety and efficacy of Alprazolam in patients under the age of 18 years has been established. Elderly patients Elderly and debilitated patients, or those with organic brain syndrome, have been found to be prone to the CNS depressant activity of Benzodiazepine even after low doses. Manifestations include ataxia, over sedation and hypotension. Therefore, Xanax / Alprazolam medication to these patients should be administered with caution and strictly according to xanax prescription of expert doctors. Cardiac complications may occur due to a drop in blood pressure. Initial Xanax doses should be low and increments should be made gradually, depending on the response of the patient, so as to avoid over sedation, neurological impairment and other possible adverse reactions.

Anxiety Disorders

Xanax should not be used by individuals with physiological anxiety or in the presence of disabling manifestations of an appropriate pathological anxiety disorder. Xanax prescription also says that xanax medication is not recommended for the treatment of patients with depressive or psychotic disorders.

Alprazolam should not be administered to individuals prone to drug abuse. Caution should be observed in all patients who are considered to have potential for psychological dependence.

Interactions with other drugs

Benzodiazepine may interact with effects of other CNS acting drugs such as alcohol, narcotics, barbiturates, non barbiturate hypnotics, antihistamines, phenothiazines, butyrophenones, MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants. It should never be taken with alcohol. Not only does alcohol in low doses spoil the positive effects of the drug Alprazolam, but practically all benzodiazepines.

A xanax prescription warns against the simultaneous use of other CNS depressant drugs like Benzodiazepine of any other type, such as valium, tobacco, marijuana, grapefruit juice, antihistamines such as benadryl, oral contraceptives, sleeping pills etc. These drugs strongly interact with Xanax and can create serious side effects.

Results of a new study comparing the effectiveness of Pfizer Inc.,’s Lipitor with Pravachol, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb, was recently published in the New York Times. The study details the clinical observation that Lipitor was significantly more effective than Pravachol in lowering patient’s LDL cholesterol levels. However, the study did not comment on the overall effect that Statin drugs have on patient health, or the research that indicates Statins may actually increase your risk of heart disease and heart attack.

Statin drugs have been proven effective in the reduction of LDL cholesterol in most patients. However, the bio-chemical reactions that the drugs use to decease cholesterol also inhibit the production of an important nutrient that is essential for good heart health; specifically CoQ10.

Lipitor and Pravachol work by inhibiting the body’s ability to make an enzyme called HMG-CoA. This enzyme is the precursor to two compounds, cholesterol and CoQ10. Because the intent of Statin drugs is to inhibit cholesterol production, this method of suppression is very effective in reducing cholesterol levels. However, by suppressing the manufacture of HMG-CoA, and subsequently CoQ10, the body actually becomes more susceptible to heart attack, angina, congestive heart failure, and many other pulmonary-related diseases.

CoQ10 is found in every cell in the body and is necessary for proper energy utilization, resistance to disease, and cardiac health. The compound is so necessary that it’s chemical name is actually ubiquinone, because of its ubiquitous presence in the body. By suppressing the mechanism that makes CoQ10, Statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol put patients at significant risk of heart disease, as well as reduce overall resistance to cancer and other diseases.

CoQ10 is used by the heart and other muscles to facilitate contraction as blood is pumped through the body. If the body’s source of CoQ10, is lowered, either through Statin drugs or environmental factors, the hearts ability to contract is greatly diminished. This subsequently results in significant cardiac complications; including angina, heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia and heart attack.

In addition to its contribution to proper heart function, CoQ10 is also a significant ant-oxidant. When our ability to product CoQ10 is reduced, our body’s immunity to cancer, pollution and disease can be greatly diminished. This has been documented in a number of studies where CoQ10 levels have been measured in people with specific cancers, degenerative diseases, or HIV.

The relation between HMG-CoA, cholesterol, and CoQ10 has been well documented and is freely available. Subsequently, the solution to reduced CoQ10 levels has been made extremely simple. The solution is simply dietary supplementation with CoQ10 if you are taking a Statin drug. Much of the diminished CoQ10 supply can be made up through dietary supplementation. In fact, CoQ10 supplements can be purchased in the supplement section of your local health food store.

CoQ10 is essential to proper heart health and resistance to disease. Statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol inhibit the body’s ability to product CoQ10. If not addressed, this can increase a patient’s risk of heart disease and other cardiac conditions. However, supplementation of CoQ10 by the use of a dietary supplement can balance the effects of Statin drugs and ensure that the patient’s risk of overall heart disease does not increase while his/her cholesterol levels decrease. If you are currently taking a Statin drug to reduce your cholesterol, talk to your doctor about supplementation with CoQ10 to ensure your continued good health.

This must be a mistake! How could his drug costs rise from $150 a month to $1101 in just three weeks? My hands shook while I read the pharmacy bill.

There was no mistake. The bill I held recorded the drugs ordered by my fathers Alzheimers’ care unit. In only three weeks at this eldercare facility, his drug expenses had soared an incredible 734%. Ironically, his quality of life had plunged about the same percent. Walking and talking when he entered, he now spent his days confined to a wheelchair, unable to walk, drugged into a persistent stupor.

“I’ve got to do something.” The thought haunted me all day.

Then, that evening, an incidental trip to the grocery delivered the help I needed. It came in the form of a thick paperback book, The PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs (PDR Pocket Guide).

The PDR Pocket Guide provides tons of information for all prescription drugs on the market when it was printed. Specifics include:

• generic equivalents,
• why the drug is prescribed,
• how it should be taken,
• when it should not be taken,
• side effects and special warning, and
• possible interactions with other drugs and food.

The PDR Pocket Guide is available through Amazon.com, or you might find a copy like I did at your local grocery or bookstore. Jam-packed with almost 1700 pages of information, this paperback is a surprisingly affordable $6.99.

Using the pharmacy’s bill as a list of medications, I read the PDR report for each drug my father was using. What I found astonished me.

Two of fifteen drugs prescribed were being used “off-label” (not FDA approved for the condition it is used to treat). One of those was specifically contraindicated for use with Alzheimer’s patients. Two more were from drug families that I had previously identified as causing allergic reactions in my father.

When I was young, my father used to kid me by saying, “Up with this I will not put!” Up with this I wasn’t about to put either, so I called his doctor.

“My father is allergic to Furosemide.”

He bristled. “Where did you get an idea like that?”

“Furosemide is a sulfa drug. He’s allergic to sulfa drugs.”

“I never heard anything like that about Furosemide,” he barked. “Who told you that?”

“The PDR Pocket Guide.”

“Well, the PDR has a lot of stuff you don’t need to know.” His arrogance grated on my nerves.

“No more Furosemide.” Now I wasn’t asking, I was demanding. “You’ve seen his rash. He didn’t have it when he came to the care unit.”

“You’re not qualified to say what he should or should not have.”

“What am I doing,” I wondered, “arguing with a doctor who should be helping?” I wish I’d spoken the words I thought next. “Bye-bye! You’re fired!”

But, in that moment, I resolved to be fully in control of all my father’s drugs. I would learn everything I could and provide drugs direct to the facility. . .or not. There would be no more ordering drugs without my specific authorization

I enlisted the expertise of a pharmacist I found just down the street. She graciously took time from her crowded day to answer all my questions and explain anything I didn’t understand. She took a brief history of my father’s illness, made note of his allergies, and offered money-saving suggestions. She focused on providing excellent service. In short, she was, and is, an angel.

I immediately began to look for another physician to take over my father’s care, but I was too slow. Within a few weeks, my father died of complications from a massive insulin overdose.

Was my experience unusual? Probably not, according to a study from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). On the subject of the increased cost of pharmaceuticals for people over-65, the study’s author, Marie Stagnitti, MPA, reports:

Every year from 1997-2000, the average out of pocket expense for prescription medicines for those with a purchase and age 65 and older was more than three times as high as the average out of pocket expense on prescription medicines for those with a purchase and under age 65.

The potential for overmedication in the elderly is clear in Stagnitti’s chart showing an average 23.5 prescriptions in both 1999 and 2000 for the over-65 group that used prescription drugs. The number of prescription drugs used by the under-65 group seemed high to me as well: 9.5 for 1999 and 10.1 prescriptions for the year 2000.

Overmedication is not only crushingly expensive for our elderly, it represents a real and present danger. You can do something about it. Please, learn about and oversee medications. You will help elders save money. You might even save a life.

The news has been full of the recent FDA findings on a new set of drugs to help relieve pain. These drugs have been approved for re-release, but it is unclear whether Vioxx will be available again and whether physicians will feel comfortable prescribing Celebrex and Bextra for many of their patients.

What happened to Celebrex and Vioxx?

Celebrex, Vioxx, and Bextra are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, pronounced en-said-z), similar to drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, that are available over the counter (OTC). Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra, (sometimes called Cox-2 inhibitors) however, use a slightly different method to achieve the same effect as their OTC cousins; this new method was supposed to limit the side effects some people experience on OTC drugs, including stomach and intestinal problems and allergic reactions. It was thought that because these drugs were less likely to cause such problems, they might be safer for patients with painful chronic conditions (like arthritis) to use for long periods of time.

Unfortunately, some studies of Cox-2 inhibitors suggest that while they don’t cause the sorts of side effects of other NSAIDs, they may create a greater risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. For people already at risk for these diseases (including those who have already experienced a stroke or heart problem), taking these drugs over the long run may significantly increase the risk of heart problems.

Now What Can I Do To Get Pain Relief?

Until a final decision has been made on each of these drugs, what can your healthcare provider do to help you with pain management? Here are important pieces of information to think about in determining what next steps to take:

* The Cox-2 inhibitors were not shown to be more effective than other NSAIDs, like naproxen. If you’ve been on or thinking about trying Vioxx or another Cox-2 inhibitor, you may be able to use an older anti-inflammatory drug. Naproxen, one of the older NSAIDs, may be an anti-inflammatory drug that actually lowers heart attack risk.

* Some people started on a Cox-2 inhibitors because they had a stomach ulcer or other risk factors for stomach or intestine bleeding (for example, people on blood thinners), which may be made worse by older anti-inflammatory drugs. For some people who are at risk for bleeding, other options like acetaminophen may be an option.

* There are lots of other medical options. Steroids can be used for shorter periods of time to manage inflammatory pain from diseases like arthritis and lupus. Opioids (drugs that resemble opium), such as oxycodone, codeine, and hydrocodone (Vicodin) can help with pain management, but they can have serious side effects, and some of them can be addictive, so working closely with your healthcare worker is key to determine if these will work for you. In addition, some antidepressants may help with chronic (long-term) pain, though the way this works isn’t yet known

* New procedures may be of assistance to you. Nerve block therapy (in which certain nerves are temporarily anaesthetized) can relieve pain temporarily. “Implantable “technologies, like spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems and implantable drug delivery systems, do seem to help some people for whom other pain relief methods don’t work.

* If you aren’t getting the relief you need (with or without the use of Cox-2 inhibitors), you may want to consult a pain specialist. Some large hospitals (such as Stanford University) have departments devoted to pain management. The American Board of Pain Medicine and the PainConnection (at painconnection.org) can help you locate a pain specialist who can work with your other healthcare professionals to put a new treatment plan together for you.

Prescription drugs can save your life. But interactions between prescription drugs and other drugs or with illnesses or conditions you have can lead to significant consequences. Drug interactions may make your drug less effective, cause unexpected side effects, or increase the action of a particular drug.

Keep in mind that this table does not show you:

-all the interactions with the drug in the left column

-other things that might interact with drugs in the middle column

-all the effects of the interaction between the two drugs (as shown in the right column)

How Can I prevent these interactions?

Here are several suggestions for limiting the possibility of experiencing these effects:

* Make sure that all of your doctors know all of the medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Elderly persons in particular may see several different specialists. All your doctors should know about anything you’re taking

* Make sure you know all the medications you’re taking. If you’re on several, you should keep their names and doses jotted down on an index card in your wallet or purse. That way, you can reference them if you happen to end up in the emergency room or if you begin working with a new healthcare provider.

* Read the labels. Before using any product, including an over-the-counter medication, read the label for interactions. If you don’t know whether one of the medications you’re taking fits a category of drugs you shouldn’t use, ask the pharmacist for assistance.

* Make friends with your pharmacist. If you always go to the same pharmacy, your pharmacist will have all your drugs on record and can alert you to potential interactions. If possible, finding a pharmacy where there are only one or two pharmacists who are always on duty will improve the chances of them catching problems.

* Even topical medications can interact. You may be receiving an antibiotic ointment for a skin condition - ask your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear sunscreen (to prevent the sun interacting with the medication and giving you a burn!) while using it.

* Other things to think about:

1. Herbal supplements, even if purchased in the store, may not have a complete list of interactions available. Speak with your physician about whether these herbal supplements might harm you - if you’re not sure, it’s not worth the risk.

2. If you enjoy alcoholic beverages, ask your pharmacist about possible interactions with your medications; you may need to give them a miss until you are through with your medication

3. Even things that don’t seem like “real” medicine (antacids, vitamins, diet pills, fiber supplements) may make it difficult for you to absorb your medications or interfere with their function; your pharmacist can be a good resource in determining what to take.

With the recent front-page news about the possible hazards of pain medications, you may be taking a look at your over-the-counter (or OTC) pain medications with a wary eye. While all drugs, including those you don’t need a prescription for, can be dangerous, some basic knowledge can help you avoid the pitfalls for the pain relief you need.

Types of OTC pain medication:

The pain-relief aisle of any drug store can make it seem like there’s an infinite number of pain-relief medications. But there are really only three types. Each type works in a different way and can cause different types of problems.

Aspirin: Aspirin blocks the activity of pain hormones called prostaglandins, which would otherwise send pain information to the brain. In addition, by blocking prostaglandins you reduce the pain and discomfort of inflammation (swelling and heat indicating immune function).

Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is found in drugs like Tylenol, as well as some generic OTC medications and in prescription pain-relief products. Acetaminophen travels through your bloodstream to the brain, reducing pain-related brain activity and fever. Because it doesn’t work through the hormonal system, it doesn’t do as good a job of reducing swelling and inflammation as the other two types of pain medication.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories: These are sometimes called NSAIDs (pronounced N-Saidz). This isn’t a single chemical, like acetaminophen, but a group of chemicals including ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen, all of which block the production of prostaglandins, and thus pain and swelling. A number of NSAIDs are available over-the-counter, including brands like Aleve, Ibuprofen (generic) and Motrin; some newer NSAIDs, like Celebrex and Vioxx , need a prescription.

How To Take Aspirin Safely

In addition to blocking pain signals, aspirin blocks the production of blood clots. Strokes can be caused by blood clots blocking the brain’s blood vessels and aspirin reduces the chance that such clots will form, so physicians will sometimes recommend a low dose of daily aspirin to prevent strokes in high-risk patients.

However, this also means that it’s harder to stop bleeding if you’re taking aspirin. People who are already on blood thinners (like Coumadin) should not take. Similarly, pregnant women have an increased risk of bleeding if they take aspirin, so if you need pain relief while pregnant, speak with your healthcare worker for a better options.

Aspirin can quickly lead to ulcer formation and potentially-dangerous gastric (stomach) bleeding. Enteric coating reduces the likelihood of harm, but even so, aspirin should not be taken for long periods of time without consulting a physician.

Some people are allergic to aspirin, and may experience a variety of symptoms (potentially serious) on taking it. If you’re allergic to aspirin, you shouldn’t take aspirin or NSAIDs without consulting a physician.

Lastly, children and teens with chicken pox, flu, or other viral illness should not be given aspirin (even children’s aspirin) without first consulting a physician, as the combination of certain illnesses and aspirin can lead to a potentially fatal complication called Reye’s syndrome.

How To Take Acetaminophen Safely:

Acetaminophen, taken in high doses or over long periods of time, can cause liver damage and, eventually, liver failure. If you think you may have taken too much, call a healthcare provider or poison control center right away.

Alcohol consumption can magnify the effect of acetaminophen on the liver. If you regularly have three or more alcoholic drinks per day, you should check with your healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen (or any other pain reliever).

Because of the potential for overdose, children should never be given “extra strength” acetaminophen products. Regular strength ones should be given at the stated doses for children or after speaking with a healthcare professional or pharmacist.

How To Take Over The Counter NSAIDs Safely:

NSAIDs slightly increase the risk of bleeding. People on blood thinners, pregnant or nursing women, and people at risk for internal bleeding should not take these products. They can also affect your liver’s function and health and lead to gastrointestinal bleeding.

In order to avoid these effects, you shouldn’t take more than one NSAID at a time or an NSAID with aspirin without first consulting a physician. If you’re taking a multi-drug medication (for example, pills for relief of menstrual symptoms may include several different medications), make sure it doesn’t already contain an NSAID if you’re taking an NSAID separately. Lastly, pregnant and nursing women should speak with their healthcare provider before using an OTC NSAID.