Two categories of pain Relievers
The two main categories of pain relievers.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen helps to reduce pain fever, flu headache, and toothaches. Acetaminophen medicines are Dristan, Excedrin, Feverall, Liquiprin, Panadol, Robitussin etc.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce fever and get rid of pain. NSAIDs are advised for providing temporary respite from aches, fevers, and stiffness or swelling around your bones and joints. After taking NSAIDs, you should experience some relief within an hour, but it may take days or weeks before you experience the complete benefits. NSAID medicines include ibuprofen, naproxen etc.
How to use acetaminophen?
- Acetaminophen comes in lots of forms, which include capsules, liquids, chewable or disintegrating drugs, and dissolving powders or granules. Use it as prescribed by your physician.
- Do not consume more than 1000 mg at a time or more than 4000 mg in 24 hours, adults and adolescents at least 12 years old.
- Do not consume more than five doses of children’s formula containing acetaminophen in 24 hours if you are under the age of 12.
- In case you are giving acetaminophen to an infant, make sure you operate a product that is supposed for children. Use your child’s weight to discover the proper dose in the product package. In case you don’t know your infant’s weight, you may use their age.
- For swiftly dissolving capsules, chunk them or allow them to dissolve on the tongue, then swallow them without or with water. For chewable drugs, chew thoroughly before swallowing.
- Do not crush or chew prolonged-release capsules. Doing so can release all of the drugs without delay, increasing the chance of adverse consequences. Swallow the capsules completely.
- For effervescent capsules, dissolve the dose inside the encouraged amount of water, then drink.
What things do you need to remember before using Acetaminophen?
- Don’t use Acetaminophen for a fever of more than three days unless directed by your health practitioner.
- Pain relievers can work perfectly if they are used during the first stage of pain.
- You need to shake the syrup before using it.
- The oral powder has to be positioned without delay on the tongue and swallowed.
overdose/Missed dose
Don’t worry if you forget to take the medicine. Take it when you remember. It’s not a big issue if you missed a dose.
Overdose
Contact your doctor in case of an overdose. Symptoms of overdose are:
- Stomach pain
- vomiting
- Dark urine
- headache
NSAIDs
NSAIDs work by slowing the formation of prostaglandins, which are essential in the body’s inflammatory response. The body, consequently, produces more of those substances when an injury occurs. Lowering the number of prostaglandins in damaged tissue lowers inflammation.
NSAIDs examples
Toradol
Toradol is used to treat severe acute pain.
Aspirin
Aspirin is used to treat strokes and heart attacks.
Celebrex
Celebrex is used to treat familial adenomatous polyposis.
Side effects
Stomach problems can occur due to NSAIDs.
- Gas
- bleeding and ulcers
- vomiting
Increased blood pressure
NSAIDs can cause high blood pressure.
Bleeding
NSAIDs can lessen your blood’s potential to clot. This will reason you to bruise extra easily. Small cuts might also take longer to forestall bleeding.
Common side effects
Some common side effects are:
- headaches
- dizziness
- chest pains and difficulty breathing
- a rash or sensitivity to sunlight.