When you’re in pain, you want to feel better quickly so you can get on with the demands of your day. An over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication may help, but it is important to use it safely.
Get your pain reliever dose right. Why?
If you take more medicine than the label says, you may increase your chance of serious side effects. To use OTC pain relievers safely:
Take the dose directed on the label. Even if you’re in a lot of pain, it is not safe to take more medicine than the label says
Wait the right amount of times between doses
Don’t take more than the daily limit
Take ONLY 1 medicine with the same kind of active ingredient at a time
If your pain lasts for more than 10 days, stop taking the medicine and see your healthcare professional. It’s possible that the problem may need more attention, or a different treatment approach may be needed
Home remedies, ice and heat, and stretching exercises may also reduce your pain. Here are tips for safely managing 4 common types of pain: back pain, headaches, cold and flu symptoms, and toothaches. If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare professional.
