Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, Aleve, and Motrin can put you at risk for serious health issues if you use too much. As many as 100,000 people each year are hospitalized in the United States due to NSAID misuse, and an estimated 17,000 end up dying from ensuing complications. It can be easy to tear open a box of pain medicine and ignore the label if the pain is severe enough, but Dr. Byron Cryer strongly urges you to read each label carefully before using.
All NSAIDs Are Not Created Equally
A gastroenterology specialist, Dr. Cryer is a member of the Alliance for Rational Use of NSAIDs, an organization of health specialists that educates people about the safe and appropriate use of NSAIDs. Taking the time to read each medicine’s label for dosage instructions is absolutely critical, notes Dr. Cryer.
Each NSAID is different in both the amount of tablets you take and their strength. One tablet taken as a 100mg dose may not be as strong as 100mg of another. As a general rule of thumb, you should keep 1,200mg or less as your maximum dosage and stop taking them once you see improvements. The Alliance’s website cautions, “When taking NSAIDs, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time.”
Combining NSAIDs with Acetominophen
What if the pain is still too much to bear after taking NSAIDs? Can you take other medicine?
Acetaminophen is another type of pain reliever and fever reducer. Commonly known as Tylenol, acetaminophen has its own side effects and risks but is in a different category of pain medicine, away from NSAIDs. Because of this, you can safely alternate between the two without carrying the same risk of bleeding ulcers as taking multiple NSAIDs would have.
While both NSAIDs and acetaminophen fight pain, they do it a little differently. NSAIDs target pain and help fight inflammation. Acetaminophen, on the other hand, does not help with inflammation. So, if you have a sprained ankle and need something to reduce the swelling and pain, an NSAID would be more effective. If it’s just a minor headache or pain, Tylenol will do the trick.
If you are approaching the daily limit of NSAID dosages, you can take Tylenol as an added defense against pain. According to Dr. Cryer, there are three important things to remember when taking pain medicine of any type: read the label carefully, take only one product at a time, and if you have any questions, ask a health care professional.
Acetaminophen & NSAIDs: What's the Difference?
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Dr. Byron Cryer obtained his B.A. degree from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (1982) and his M.D. degree from Baylor College of Medicine (1986) where he also obtained his internal medicine residency training from 1986-89. He obtained his gastroenterology fellowship training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (1989-92).
Since completing his fellowship training in 1992, he has been a member of the gastroenterology faculty. He is active in the gastroenterology professional associations and was an Associate Chairman of the Esophagus, Stomach and Duodenum section of the American Gastroenterological Association from 1997-1999.
Dr. Cryer's clinical interests are in general gastroenterology. His specific areas of interest are acid-peptic diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Specific disease states of interest are Helicobacter pylori-induced ulcer disease and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced ulcers. is primary research interest has been in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease.
His research focus has been clinically-oriented in that he has exclusively studied the pathophysiology of these processes in humans. Recent investigations have explored the mechanism of gastrointestinal toxicity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within the stomach and duodenum. The most recent aspect of NSAID investigation has been an evaluation of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 specific NSAIDs.
Another area of investigation has recently evaluated the effects of NSAIDs in gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Dr. Byron Cryer obtained his B.A. degree from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (1982) and his M.D. degree from Baylor College of Medicine (1986) where he also obtained his internal medicine residency training from 1986-89. He obtained his gastroenterology fellowship training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (1989-92).Since completing his fellowship training in 1992, he has been a member of the gastroenterology faculty. He is active in the gastroenterology professional associations and was an Associate Chairman of the Esophagus, Stomach and Duodenum section of the American Gastroenterological Association from 1997-1999.
Dr. Cryer's clinical interests are in general gastroenterology. His specific areas of interest are acid-peptic diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Specific disease states of interest are Helicobacter pylori-induced ulcer disease and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced ulcers. is primary research interest has been in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease.
His research focus has been clinically-oriented in that he has exclusively studied the pathophysiology of these processes in humans. Recent investigations have explored the mechanism of gastrointestinal toxicity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within the stomach and duodenum. The most recent aspect of NSAID investigation has been an evaluation of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 specific NSAIDs.
Another area of investigation has recently evaluated the effects of NSAIDs in gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Alonso Chavarriaga
Alonso is a long-time health and wellness advocate who loves to write about it. His writing spans the scope of blogs, educational magazines, and books, both on and offline.
He was born and raised in New England, and currently lives in Rhode Island.
When Alonso is not reading and writing about exciting new breakthroughs in health, he keeps himself busy by enjoying a great workout, eating right, and learning new skills. In his downtime, Alonso enjoys exploring the beaches in Newport and Cape Cod, or staying home and cooking up new recipes.