Most Common Side Effects Of OTC Medicines And How To Avoid Them

Suppose you're in some emergency and you need medicines at the earliest. It can be pain from an injury, or a headache, or misery from indigestion or cold. You delve into your stash of over-the-counter medicines that you have stored over time and take one you've taken many times before. But, two hours later, you have a rash or stomach pain or some other odd new problem. Is it related to the medicine you've taken? But, you've taken it so many times in the past. Remember that, any medication, herb, supplement, oil, or food can work on your body both on positive and negative ways. No matter, how many times you've taken it in the past, it can give you just about any side effect you can think of at any given time. Here are some tips to avoid some of the most common side effects with over-the-counter medications.

Aspirin – Aspirin is a well known medicine to prevent inflammation, pain, and in some people, heart attacks and strokes. Here are some situations when you should avoid aspirin.

• If you have stomach issues such as ulcers, avoid aspirin.
• If you drink alcohol, never drink it with aspirin.
• If you have a bleeding disorder, avoid it. Aspirin increases the risk for bleeding.
• If you have an injury that can cause internal bleeding, like head trauma, stay away from aspirin.

NSAIDs – NSAIDs such as, ibuprofen (Advil, Midol, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naproxyn) are for pain & inflammation. Here are some cases, where you should avoid NSAIDs.

• If you have stomach issues, avoid NSAIDs.
• If you drink alcohol, never drink it with NSAIDs.
• If you take warfarin, NSAIDs may interact with it.
• If you have a bleeding disorder, or an injury that can cause internal bleeding, avoid NSAIDs.
• If you have water retention, avoid NSAIDs, because it may cause more swelling.
• If you have high blood pressure, avoid NSAIDs.
• If you have congestive heart failure, avoid NSAIDs.

Acetaminophen – Commonly known as Tylenol, Acetaminophen is also in a lot of combination over-the-counter medicines, including many cold medicines. Read labels carefully so that you don't mix two medicines that contain it and end up overdosing on it.

•  If you feel miserable, don't be tempted to take more of this than the label directs, as a little more than the dosage can cause liver damage.
• If you drink alcohol, never drink it with acetaminophen.
• If you take warfarin, then taking acetaminophen with it, will interact. So, don't take it, unless talking to a doctor.

Antihistamines – Antihistamines are often used for allergies and are found in some cold and sleep medicines.

• If you are in a stressful situation (likely during a disaster), keep in mind that though drowsiness is common with these medicines, they can actually make some people agitated instead.
• If you have urinary issues, antihistamines can relax the muscles in the bladder so much, that it can be difficult to urinate.

Decongestants – These can decrease swelling in the nostrils due to colds. Like antihistamines, decongestants are often found in cold medicines in combination with other medicines. Here are some situations, when you should avoid decongestants

• If you have heart problems, decongestants can raise blood pressure and cause heart palpitations
• If you have urinary issues, avoid decongestants because just like antihistamines, decongestants can cause trouble in urinating.

Nasal Spray Decongestants – These work like oral decongestants and can give the same side effects, but because they're sprayed locally to the nose, the side effects are less frequent. Here are some situations, when you should avoid them.

• If you have high blood pressure or BPH, be careful about using nasal spray decongestants.
• If you have long-term sinus problems, take a break on the OTC decongestant spray every few days.

Bismuth Subsalicylate – This is best known by its brand name of Pepto-Bismol. Here are some tips when you should avoid Bismuth Subsalicylate.

• If you have problems with aspirin, don't use, since it's related.
• If you have a possibility of internal bleeding, consider avoiding this medicine because it can cause black bowel movements.

Calcium – This mineral is found in some supplements and multivitamins, and is the main ingredient in antacids such as Tums and Rolaids.

• If you have issues with bowel movements, then avoid taking calcium as it may cause constipation.

Caladryl – Caldryl lotion, which contains diphenhydramine (an antihistamine sold in oral form as Benadryl and other brand names) and calamine, is used to relieve the itch from rashes.

• If you are stocking medicines for a disaster situation, when you won't want to take risks with your comfort, consider stocking Calamine Plain instead. Calamine doesn't carry the risk of causing local allergic reaction that Caladryl can, which results in more itching.

Antibiotic Ointments – These are used on skin wounds to prevent infection.

• If you notice increased itching or redness after using the ointment, consider stopping or switching to another type. It's ingredient 'neomycin' is the main culprit. So, stop using an ointment with 'neomycin.'