Jane
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02:35:43 pm on December 26, 2006 | # |
The FDA is proposing labeling change for over the counter (OTC) painkillers, including medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sold under generic names of aspirin, ibuprofen (brand name: Advil), naproxen (brand name: Aleve) and ketoprofen (brand name: Orudis) and acetominophen (brand name: Tylenol).
For NSAIDS, warnings would alert consumers to potential for stomach bleeding in people over 60 years old, people who have ulcer history, people who are taking a blood thinner, and people who drink alcohol or take NSAIDS longer than is directed on the drug container.
For acetominophen, warnings would alert consumers to potential for liver toxicity especially at high doses and when mixing the drug with other acetominophen-containing drugs or with alcohol.
Not enough people realize the damage that long term use of these drugs can do on their digestive systems. Many also make the dangerous assumption that if the drug is available over the counter then it must be “safe.”
Source: FDA website.