How to use pain relievers safely?

1. Pain relievers

In life, we will certainly encounter many different pain symptoms such as headaches, toothaches, joints, muscles, especially severe pain that lasts for a long time can become unbearable torture. To relieve pain, some people have to take painkillers, even taking painkillers for a long time.

To deal with pain, some people have to take painkillers.

Pain relievers are generally divided into two categories:

- The first type is anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs that act on the peripheral system: Commonly used types include aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol... effective for mild to moderate headaches, toothaches, nerve pain, muscle pain, and joint pain.

When the body is inflamed, many inflammatory factors are produced, which can cause redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the joints and surrounding soft tissues. These drugs can block the enzymes that synthesize inflammatory and pain-causing substances, and have anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects. These painkillers themselves are not addictive.

- The second type affects the central nervous system: Representatives are morphine, tramadol and other drugs... The drug has a moderate to strong pain-relieving effect and can cause dependence (drug addiction) if used for a long time. However, these are prescription drugs that are strictly controlled.

When using pain relievers, strictly follow your doctor's instructions.

2. How to use pain relievers properly?

Pain is a symptom of a disease, so there are many causes of pain. In addition, not all pain is suitable for painkillers. Therefore, when pain symptoms appear, you should see a doctor and take medication as prescribed by your doctor.

When using painkillers, you should strictly follow your doctor's instructions and not arbitrarily increase the dose, decrease the dose or increase the frequency of use (especially opioid painkillers). Sometimes, subjectively increasing the frequency and dose of the drug does not increase the pain-relieving effect but increases the risk of side effects.

If you are taking other medications, you should proactively inform your doctor or pharmacist. Combining medications can affect the effectiveness of the drug or increase the risk of side effects. For example, painkillers are also commonly found in some cold medicines. Using them together can cause overdose problems.

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol can affect how well the medicine works or increase the risk of side effects from the painkiller. For example, taking the painkiller paracetamol with alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage.

Note, pain is a warning sign of physical health. If you use painkillers for more than 3 days and the pain does not subside or even gets worse, you should see a doctor immediately.

Dr. Vu Thuy Duong

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/lam-the-nao-de-dung-thuoc-giam-dau-an-toan-172240524231834332.htm