The Pros And Cons Of Pain Relief Drugs
Here’s a rundown of the benefits and risks of some popular pain medications. It should help simplify your choices the next time you’re in the drugstore.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t use any over-the-counter painkiller on a regular basis. If you’re in that much pain, you need to talk with your doctor.
ACETAMINOPHENTylenol, Panadol, Tempra
- How it works. Acetaminophen is not an NSAID. Experts aren’t actually sure how it works, but it seems to affect chemicals that increase the feeling of pain.
- Benefits. Acetaminophen reduces pain and lowers fevers. Experts believe that acetaminophen is safe for people with high blood pressure.Acetaminophen is also less likely to cause gastrointestinal problems than NSAIDs. It is safe for women who are pregnant and nursing.
- Side effects and risks. Experts believe that acetaminophen is safe for people with high blood pressure. Very high doses of acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage. Long-term use of acetaminophen in high doses — especially when combined with caffeine or codeine can cause kidney disease. Acetaminophen doesn’t reduce swelling, like aspirin and other NSAIDs do. It may be less helpful in treating pain that’s caused by inflammation, such as some types of arthritis.
ASPIRINBayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin
IBUPROFEN
What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Tylenol Arthritis Pain
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Trouble sleeping.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If Acetaminophen Isnt Providing Enough Pain Relief
If acetaminophen doesnt provide enough relief for your moms pains, then it may be reasonable to consider over-the-counter NSAIDs, preferably for a limited period of time. But be sure to discuss the risks and alternatives with the doctor first, and be sure to discuss possible non-drug approaches to lessen pain.
You may also want to ask about topical painkillers, such as gels, creams, and patches. These are generally safer than oral medications, because less of the body is exposed to side effects.
Questions? Please post them below.
This article was reviewed & updated in April 2021.
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Team Finds Why Acetaminophen Causes Blood Pressure Drop
You are free to share this article under the Attribution 4.0 International license.
Researchers may have found the reason behind one side effect of receiving intravenous acetaminophen, according to new research with rats.
The painkiller acetaminophen is commonly used for headaches and ingested orally. Hospitals, however, administer acetaminophen intravenously. In this way, doctors and nurses can help critically ill patients unable to swallow one or more pills.
Furthermore, the drug works much faster intravenously, and the method allows healthcare professionals to precisely control the doses and the timing of its effects.
However, the intravenous acetaminophen has a serious side effect: a temporary large drop in blood pressure.
Previous studies suggest it is quite a sizable drop. We are, for example, talking about drops in the range of 25-30 mm Hg from a systolic pressure of 120, and we now believe that we know the mechanism underlying this dangerous side effect, says Thomas Qvistgaard Jepps, an assistant professor in the biomedical sciences department at the University of Copenhagen.
The drop in blood pressure occurs in both common and critically ill patients, he says. In the critically ill, six out of 10 have experienced the side effect, one third of these to such an extent that they require medical intervention.
Whats The Safest Otc Painkiller For An Older Parent
For most older adults, the safest oral OTC painkiller for daily or frequent use is acetaminophen , provided you are careful to not exceed a total dose of 3,000mg per day.
Acetaminophen is usually called paracetamol outside the U.S.
It is processed by the liver and in high doses can cause serious sometimes even life-threatening liver injury. So if an older person has a history of alcohol abuse or chronic liver disease, then an even lower daily limit will be needed, and I would strongly advise you to talk to a doctor about what daily limit might be suitable.
The tricky thing with acetaminophen is that its actually included in lots of different over-the-counter medications and prescription medications . So people can easily end up taking more daily acetaminophen than they realize. This can indeed be dangerous research suggests that 40% of acetaminophen overdoses cases are accidental.
But when taken at recommended doses, acetaminophen has surprisingly few side-effects and rarely harms older adults. Unlike non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , it does not put older adults at risk of internal bleeding, and it seems to have minimal impacts on kidney function and cardiovascular risk.
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What Are The Risks Of Taking Ibuprofen With High Blood Pressure
Its essential to understand the risks associated with ibuprofen before you start taking it. As mentioned, ibuprofen may elevate your blood pressure. If you have hypertension, you may want to avoid this medication.
Other risks associated with taking ibuprofen include:
People who regularly take ibuprofen are also at higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Will Acetaminophen Raise Blood Pressure
The makers of Tylenol are advertising that their pain reliever
Wont raise blood pressure the way that Advil, Aleve or Motrin sometimes can.
That sounds reassuring, but you will notice that the commercial does not say acetaminophen wont raise blood pressure at all.
The question: does acetaminophen raise blood pressure? is complicated. Researchers have found that both acetaminophen and NSAIDs independently increase the risk of hypertension in women .
There is this analysis of 80,020 women in the Nurses Health Study II :
Conclusions: Use of NSAIDs and use of acetaminophen were significantly associated with increased risk of hypertension, but aspirin use was not. A substantial proportion of hypertension in the United States, and the associated morbidity and mortality, may be due to the use of these medications.
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Most Us Adults Unaware That Over
DALLAS, Nov. 2, 2021 While nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure , only 29% think over-the-counter pain relievers may raise blood pressure, according to a recent survey commissioned by the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all.
According to the American Heart Associations 2017 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure, high blood pressure is defined as a consistent blood pressure measurement of 130 over 80 or higher. The guidelines also state that some OTC pain relievers may elevate blood pressure.
While majority of adults in the general population, as well as people with high blood pressure, arent sure about the effect of OTC pain medicine on their blood pressure, only a little more than half of those diagnosed with high blood pressure, who take OTC pain relievers check with their doctor before taking this medicine.
People who have high blood pressure or are being treated with blood pressure medication along with their loved ones and caretakers need to be informed about safe over-the-counter pain relievers, said Willie Lawrence, Jr., M.D., interventional cardiologist, medical director for health equity, Spectrum Health in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and volunteer lead of the American Heart Associations National Hypertension Control Initiative oversight committee.
About the American Heart Association
About the Survey
What Do I Need To Tell My Doctor Before I Take Tylenol Arthritis Pain
- If you have an allergy to acetaminophen or any other part of Tylenol Arthritis Pain .
- If you are allergic to Tylenol Arthritis Pain any part of Tylenol Arthritis Pain or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have liver disease.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Tylenol Arthritis Pain .
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Tylenol Arthritis Pain with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
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Do Pain Relievers Raise Blood Pressure
Both prescription and over-the-counter pain medications can raise blood pressure, thus, in time, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, two prescription medications for arthritis pain relief, rofecoxib and valdecoxib were withdrawn from the market because they were found to be associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Both Vioxx and Bextra are prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which is in the same drug class as commonly-used OTC pain relievers such as Advil and Aleve .
Naproxen May Pose The Lowest Risk
Despite that decision, cardiologists often recommend naproxen over other NSAIDs, says Harvard professor Dr. Elliott Antman, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and lead author of guidelines on NSAID use published by the American Heart Association . “From a cardiovascular standpoint, naproxen may have the least risk,” he says, acknowledging that the evidence to support that claim is weak. But for a person at risk for heart problems who also has arthritis or musculoskeletal discomfort and needs an NSAID, naproxen at the lowest possible dose is a reasonable choice.
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How Does Ibuprofen Affect Blood Pressure
Several research studies have found that ibuprofen can raise a persons blood pressure slightly.
A study published in American Family Physician noted that when measuring blood pressure after taking ibuprofen, the top number the systolic blood pressure (SBP increased by an average of 5 mmHg.
Another study published in European Heart Journal compared the changes in blood pressure after taking ibuprofen, celecoxib, and naproxen. The study consisted of over 400 people and lasted four months. It found that ibuprofen raised the SBP by about 4 mmHg compared to other medications. In addition, one in four people who took ibuprofen daily for four months developed hypertension.
How Nsaids Harm The Heart
NSAIDs pose a risk to the cardiovascular system for two main reasons. First, they change levels of substances in the blood that make clots more likely. A blood clot can block a narrowed artery in the heart, triggering a heart attack. Second, NSAIDs change blood flow in the kidneys, causing the body to retain more salt and water, explains Dr. Antman. That causes blood pressure to rise, which also boosts the risk of a stroke. High blood pressure also makes people more prone to atrial fibrillationa rapid, quivering motion of the heart’s upper chambers.
In fact, a recent study found a higher risk of atrial fibrillation in people who had taken NSAIDs during the past 15 to 30 days compared with people who had never taken NSAIDs.
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Be Mindful About Any Medication You May Take
If you take an over-the-counter pain medication, please be mindful of how it might interact with your prescription medication, says Dr. Jen Caudle. Tylenol wont increase your blood pressure and does not interfere with certain high blood pressure medications, the way other over-the-counter medications sometimes can.
How Do I Store And/or Throw Out Tylenol 8 Hour
- Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
- Protect from light.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Store in original container.
- Keep lid tightly closed.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
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Sleeplessness & High Blood Pressure
If you are experiencing occasional sleeplessness and have high blood pressure or are taking medication to help manage high blood pressure, you may be wondering which over-the-counter nighttime sleep aid options may be right for you. TYLENOL® PM and SIMPLY SLEEP® both contain the active ingredient diphenhydramine. Read more about diphenhydramine and high blood pressure below. to buy a TYLENOL® PM product.
Where Does Acetaminophen Fit In The Management Of Arthritis And Pain In Patients With Cardiovascular Disease
The data reported by Sudano and Flammer et al imply that development of asymptomatic hypertension or destabilization of treated, controlled hypertension could occur in some patients with heart or vascular disease when treated with standard chronic doses of acetaminophen. However, the interpretation of most other findings of the study, with the exception of platelet adhesion, are limited by its brevity with only 2 weeks of exposure to acetaminophen, results for the other biomarkers and functional assessments studied can not be considered conclusive. Additionally, while the study did demonstrate a significant increase in BP after only 2 weeks of therapy, it is possible that longer-term administration of acetaminophen could induce more substantial increases in BP then was observed here. In the future, it will be important to explore the effects of acetaminophen in a broader population that might include patients with higher levels of BP, arthritis and/or chronic pain, mild-to-moderate renal disease and those on various antihypertensive drug classes. The narrow patient population studied limits our ability to apply these results to the general population.
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Nsaids Are Bad For Your Blood Pressure
NSAIDs can cause high blood pressure. And if you have high blood pressure, they can make it worse. This increases your chances of having a heart attack or a stroke.
NSAIDs can also keep some blood pressure drugs from working right. NSAIDs can interfere with:
- Diuretics, or water pills, such as Hydrodiuril . Diuretics remove excess water from the blood vessels.
- ACE inhibitors, such as Prinivil and Zestril . ACE inhibitors are drugs that relax the blood vessels.
- ARBs such as Cozaar . ARBs are another group of drugs that relax the blood vessels.
Acetaminophen Linked To Hypertension
Oct. 28, 2002 People with high blood pressure may be no better off taking acetaminophen for pain than other analgesics. A new study suggests that the pain reliever may increase the risk of hypertension to an even greater degree than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .
Hypertensive patients with chronic pain are often warned against taking either over-the-counter or prescription NSAIDs because studies have linked them to increases in blood pressure. It has been widely believed that aspirin and acetaminophen do not affect blood pressure, but Harvard University researcher Gary Curhan, MD, ScD, says few studies have tested this.
Traditional NSAIDs include a host of pain relievers like the ibuprofen drugs Motrin, Advil, and Nuprin, and the naproxen drug Aleve. The prescription drugs Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra are among a newer class of NSAIDs, known as Cox-2 inhibitors.
In this study, Curhan and colleagues examined the long-term use of acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and aspirin among 80,000 women taking part in an ongoing health study. Their aim was to determine what, if any, association the three commonly used analgesic classes have on blood pressure.
None of the women included in the study had high blood pressure at the start of the study, and all were between the ages of 31 and 50. Roughly 1,600 were diagnosed with hypertension during the following eight years. The findings are reported Oct. 28 in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.
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How Do Nsaids Raise Blood Pressure
A review of the causes of hypertension came up with these mechanisms :
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase blood pressure by influencing prostaglandin production causing adverse renal effects. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also increase systemic vascular resistance by increased endothelin-1 synthesis and by altered arachidonic metabolism. In 9,411 patients aged 65 years and older, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increased the risk of starting antihypertensive drug treatment 1.55 times if low daily doses were used, 1.64 times if medium daily doses were used, and 1.82 times if high daily doses were used.
New Study: Acetaminophen Can Raise Blood Pressure
Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network
Dr. Raghu Tadikamalla, Allegheny Health Network cardiologist and certified hypertension specialist, takes a patients blood pressure.
Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network
Dr. Raghu Tadikamalla, Allegheny Health Network cardiologist and certified hypertension specialist, said, Almost half of people have high blood pressure and, in general, we just dont talk about it.
If you usually reach for Tylenol the brand name for acetaminophen to ease headaches and aches and pains, a surprising new study has some bad news for you: Acetaminophen can raise blood pressure when its taken regularly.
According to the study, published in the academic heart journal Circulation, just two weeks of regular use of the drug caused blood pressure to spike in people who already had elevated readings. This is the first study to show a direct link between acetaminophen and blood pressure and is notable because of prevailing thinking that it is safer than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil or ibuprofen for those with hypertension.
The study included 110 patients taking either acetaminophen four times daily or a placebo for two weeks. Results showed regular acetaminophen use resulted in a significant increase in mean daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The studys authors concluded taking the drug daily for two weeks increases cardiovascular risk and calls into question the safety of such regular acetaminophen use.
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