While that may help you feel and function better, it can also be dangerous.
It pays to really understand the drugs that are available to you.
A commonly used pop in of anti-inflammatories is called NSAIDs, which stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Robert Brook / Getty Images
Popular OTC NSAIDs include:
These drugs are also available in prescriptions strengths.
That’s according to research published in a 2013 issue of theEuropean Journal of Medicine.
Taking two NSAIDs together is dangerous.
Long-term use, such as might be expected with a chronic condition, may increase these risks.
Some of the problems stemming from NSAID use may be due to people’s attitudes toward OTC drugs.
It’s crucial that these health professionals knoweverythingyou’re taking, including OTC drugs and dietary supplements.
That way, they can help you avoid serious problems.
When pain is chronic, that last recommendation can be difficult to follow.
Be sure to report any increase in side effects to your practitioner.
Your practitioner should monitor markers of liver health and kidney function if you’re taking NSAIDs long-term.
2018;50(2).
doi:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2018.0010
Arthritis Foundation.NSAIDs and the Risk of Heart Problems and Stroke.
National Institutes of Health.Naproxen.
Green J, ed.PLoS ONE.
2016;11(11):e0165278.
doi: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0165278
Carruthers BM, et.
al.Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International consensus Criteria.
Journal of internal medicine.
2011;270(4):327-38. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x
Clinard F, et.
al.Association between concomitant use of several systemic NSAIDs and an excess risk of adverse drug reaction.
A case/non-case study from the French Pharmacovigilance system database.
European journal of clinical pharmacology.
2004;60(4):279-83.
Kovac SH, et.
Association of health-related quality of life with dual use of prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
2008;59(2):227-33.
Liptan GL.Fascia: a missing link in our understanding of the pathology of fibromyalgia.
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies.
2010;14(1):3-12.
Wolfe F, et al.Longitudinal patterns of analgesic and central acting drugs use and associated effectiveness in fibromyalgia.
European journal of pain.
2013;17(4):581-6.
