Summary:
690-word article about possible interactions between various OTC medications (over-the-counter) like Tylenol, Aleve, Aspirin, etc. Makes clear the ingredients in each medication and how it may interact with the ingredients in the others. Article is meant as a basic reference for people who get most of their medications without a prescription.

Details or Sample:
Possible OTC Medication Interactions: What Consumers Should Know

There are some basics everyone should know about over-the-counter medications. These are easily obtained without a prescription, but often patients are unaware that they can interact with other medications. Let´s take a look at some very commonly used medicines that can be bought without a prescription.
1.) Aleve
Aleve can temporarily relieve the following: pain from inflammation, including symptoms of arthritis; mild to moderate pain; and to temporarily reduce fever.
The main ingredient in Aleve is Naproxen. Some evidence has shown that people who take Aleve over a long period of time, or who take more than the label instructions specify, can develop stomach bleeding. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of stomach bleeding.
Other painkillers common to over-the-counter drugs are similar to Aleve. Aspirin and Ibuprofen are two examples. These ingredients are often present in cold medications, allergy medicine, and of course aspirin and ibuprofen tablets for pain. If several of these are ingested at the same time, the patient may expose him or herself to dangerously high levels of painkillers which are inappropriate on a regular basis and without a doctor´s prescription.
Ask your doctor if you can take Aleve and other naproxin products if you are on an anti-convulsant. These drugs are prescribed for people with epilepsy and, sometimes, as mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder.
Be sure to ask your doctor before taking OTC allergy tablets or any cold remedies. If the Aleve itself is not strong enough for your pain and you find yourself adding extra pain pills to your daily dose, let your doctor know this has been happening, and see if there is simply another option he or she can give you besides Aleve.
2.) Tylenol
Some researchers claim that the main ingredient in Tylenol, called Acetaminophen, can cause liver damage if taken for long periods in unusually high doses. Basically, be sure to follow the instructions on the label. Note that there is a warning about drinking alcohol with Tylenol. This is because alcohol, used on a daily basis, can further increase the risk of damage to the liver.
If being treated with Difusinol or similar prescription medications, there is a risk of overdose if paired with Tylenol. Difusinol is another pain medication, typically used to help relieve pain after an operation. There is really no reason to combine this painkiller with extra OTC painkillers. Research suggests the risk of doing so is greater than any potential (yet unlikely) benefit.
Isoniazid is another medication that should not be combined with Tylenol or any other products containing acetaminophen. This medication is used to treat tuberculosis and prevent its recurrence in people who have been cured. Patients on a regimen involving Isoniazid are already at risk for liver damage, and must undergo blood tests on a regular basis.
The basic point to keep in mind is that, if you read a label on any type of medication, and the phrase "may cause liver damage" appears, don´t add Tylenol. This will only complicate matters and increase the risk of liver damage.
3.) Benadryl
This is a typical, well-known brand of anti-histamine. Anti-histamines temporarily relieve allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and even rashes and other skin problems associated with exposure to allergens. Benadryl can also be used to help relieve upper respiratory discomfort (such as itchy throat and cough)....continued...

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Written by: Lindsey Feldman
Available File Types:Text
Words: 690