When you are in pain, you want relief. Usually, the fastest way to get relief is to take some medication to eliminate or ease the pain. While this is a good form of short-term treatment, treating chronic pain with medication can have some dangerous effects, such as addiction and liver damage.
Whether you are taking over-the-counter (OTC) medication or have something that is prescription strength, here are three tips to use these medications safely.
1. The Negative Effect of OTC Medications
While it is safe to take OTC pain medications every now and then, when you begin taking it every day, you are putting yourself at risk in a number of ways. These medications have a number of side effects that are often overlooked. Some of these include:
• Damaging the gastrointestinal tract, including your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
• Most commonly OTC pain medications result in bleeding ulcers, which is a serious danger
• Liver damage, caused by acetaminophen use
• Kidney problems, such as kidney failure, caused by ibuprofen and naproxen
Before starting yourself on an OTC pain medication regimen talk to a pain medicine Jacksonville specialist to learn what medicine may be the best option for you, or if a prescription drug may be more beneficial
2. Know What You Cannot Do
While it may not be the cause with OTC pain medications, when it comes to prescription strength drugs, there is still a number of risks. Part of this can come from not knowing what is safe and what is not while you are on the prescribed medication. Some things that you may not realize are
• The negative effects of grapefruit juice when combined with certain medications
• The effects of alcohol and caffeine
• Lifting large amounts of weight
Talk to your doctor about pain medicine Jacksonville, so that you are full informed on what you need to be aware of when it comes to this medication.
3. Beware of the Possibility of Addiction
Prescription drugs are much stronger than what a person can get over-the-counter, which makes it easier to get addicted to them. While people may start off taking these drugs responsibly, it can escalate into abuse. This is usually because these medications can cause the user to essentially become high for a period of time, a feeling that they may begin to crave, and seek by taking their medication even when they feel no pain.
Talk to your pain medicine Jacksonville doctor about the risk of addiction, to ensure that prescription pain medication is still something safe for you. Especially if you have a history of substance abuse or someone in for family suffers from addiction. The more informed you are, the better you may handle the medication.
Pain medication is very helpful in providing relief. But, it is important to stay aware of the dangers they have, so that you remember to be careful when taking them. Always talk with your doctor about medications you take, including those for pain, to ensure it is safe.
