analgesics
Patient Counselling
Patient Counselling
Ibuprofen
How can ibuprofen treat my sore throat?
Ibuprofen belongs to a medication class called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Sore throats caused by upper respiratory tract infections can cause pain and swelling associated with inflammation. NSAIDs can reduce the inflammation to treat sore throat pain and swelling.
How do I take ibuprofen to treat my sore throat?
Take 1-2 regular strength (200 mg) tablets if sore throat has not lasted longer than 7 days. Take with full glass of water. If an upset stomach is of concern, take ibuprofen with food.
What if ibuprofen is considered to treat acute sore throat for children?
Administer ibuprofen 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for up to 2-3 days.
What side effects are commonly associated with ibuprofen?
Side effects associated with ibuprofen include local gastrointestinal (GI) side effects (diarrhea, dyspepsia), and GI bleeding. There are some medications that can interact with ibuprofen. Make sure to consult your healthcare professional before starting ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen and Pregnancy
Clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of ibuprofen for treatment of sore throat excluded pregnant patients. However, ibuprofen is considered relatively safe during the 1st and 2nd trimester. Ibuprofen should not be taken during the 3rd trimester.
Acetaminophen
How can acetaminophen treat my sore throat?
Acetaminophen works as an analgesic and antipyretic. The analgesic properties of contributes to relieving the pain associated with sore throat.
How do I take acetaminophen to treat my sore throat?
Take 1-2 extra strength (500 mg) tablets if sore throat has not lasted longer than 7 days. Take with full glass of water.
What if acetaminophen is considered to treat acute sore throat for children?
Administer acetaminophen 10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours for up to 2-3 days.
What side effects are commonly associated with acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen is generally well-tolerated. Side effects associated with acetaminophen include local gastrointestinal (GI) side effects (nausea and vomiting). There are some medications that can interact with acetaminophen. Make sure to consult your healthcare professional before starting acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen and Pregnancy
Clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of acetaminophen for treatment of sore throat excluded pregnant patients. However, acetaminophen is considered during pregnancy.
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
How can ASA treat my sore throat?
ASA belongs to a medication class called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Sore throats caused by upper respiratory tract infections can cause pain and swelling associated with inflammation. NSAIDs can reduce the inflammation to treat sore throat pain and swelling.
How do I take ASA tablets to treat my sore throat?
Take 2-3 regular strength (325 mg) tablets if sore throat has not lasted longer than 7 days. Take with full glass of water. If an upset stomach is of concern, take ASA with food. If symptoms are not resolved after 3 days, stop taking the medication and contact your family physician. This medication should not be taken by children under 16 years of age, unless advised by a physician.
How do I take ASA effervescent tablets?
Take 1-2 ASA effervescent tablets (325 mg) dissolved in approximately 5 ounces of water every 4-6 hours as needed for up to 3 days. Although not used in clinical trials for sore throat, ASA effervescent tablets (325mg) tablets can be taken up to 8 per day. Do not take with alcohol. If symptoms are not resolved after 3 days, stop taking the medication and contact your family physician. This medication should not be taken by children under 16 years of age, unless advised by a physician.
Do not take ASA effervescent tablets if:
· If you are allergic to aspirin or other ingredients in Alka-Seltzer, or allergic to other NSAIDs
· If you are taking other aspirin or NSAID medications
· You have or had GI disease
· You have a bleeding disorder
· Are taking methotrexate at a high dose (i.e. 15mg/week)
· You are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor told you to take it
Before taking this product, speak to your doctor, if:
· You have tightness in your chest
· You have asthma
· Kidney, liver problems or low uric acid excretion
· History of GI disorder (regular stomach upsets)
· You are taking drugs to prevent clotting (i.e. warfarin), lower blood sugar (insulin, sulphonylureas), treat gout or decrease water retention
· You are taking medicine due to cardiac issues or to decrease blood pressure (ACE inhibitors, cardiac glycosides, digoxin, digitoxin)
· You are taking corticosteroids, pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory drugs
· You are taking methotrexate, sodium valproate, or phenytoin.
What if caffeine is considered as adjunctive treatment to ASA?
Take caffeine 32-100 mg (usually available in combination products with ASA) with ASA oral tablets.
What side effects are commonly associated with ASA or Caffeine?
Side effects associated with ASA include local gastrointestinal (GI) side effects (diarrhea, dyspepsia), GI bleeding, and ringing in the ears (rare). As an example, if you were to injure/cut yourself while taking this medication, there can be an increased risk of bleeding. Other side effects can include black tarry stools, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. There are some medications that can interact with ASA. ASA and other NSAIDs can increase risk of bleeding. Make sure to consult your healthcare professional before starting ASA. Caffeine may increase heart rate.
ASA and Pregnancy
Clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of ASA for treatment of sore throat excluded pregnant patients. However, ASA can be used during the 1st and 2nd trimester. ASA should not be taken during the 3rd trimester.
How do I store these medications?
· Keep medications at room temperature
· Keep out of reach of children
· Do not remove tablets from container or pouch until you are ready to use
· ASA effervescent tablets are usually packaged in quantities of two, if only one is used, discard the other
· If container or pouch appears to be damaged, do not use
· Check expiry on the container or pouch before using
References
Alka-Seltzer. (2013). Alka-Seltzer ® Original. Retrieved from http:// http://alka-seltzer.com/as/as_original.html.
Lexi-Comp OnlineTM , Pediatric & Neonatal Lexi-Drugs OnlineTM , Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp, Inc.; March 27, 2013.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series [Internet database]. Greenwood Village, Colo: Thomson Reuters (Healthcare) Inc; March 27, 2013.
Ibuprofen
How can ibuprofen treat my sore throat?
Ibuprofen belongs to a medication class called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Sore throats caused by upper respiratory tract infections can cause pain and swelling associated with inflammation. NSAIDs can reduce the inflammation to treat sore throat pain and swelling.
How do I take ibuprofen to treat my sore throat?
Take 1-2 regular strength (200 mg) tablets if sore throat has not lasted longer than 7 days. Take with full glass of water. If an upset stomach is of concern, take ibuprofen with food.
What if ibuprofen is considered to treat acute sore throat for children?
Administer ibuprofen 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for up to 2-3 days.
What side effects are commonly associated with ibuprofen?
Side effects associated with ibuprofen include local gastrointestinal (GI) side effects (diarrhea, dyspepsia), and GI bleeding. There are some medications that can interact with ibuprofen. Make sure to consult your healthcare professional before starting ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen and Pregnancy
Clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of ibuprofen for treatment of sore throat excluded pregnant patients. However, ibuprofen is considered relatively safe during the 1st and 2nd trimester. Ibuprofen should not be taken during the 3rd trimester.
Acetaminophen
How can acetaminophen treat my sore throat?
Acetaminophen works as an analgesic and antipyretic. The analgesic properties of contributes to relieving the pain associated with sore throat.
How do I take acetaminophen to treat my sore throat?
Take 1-2 extra strength (500 mg) tablets if sore throat has not lasted longer than 7 days. Take with full glass of water.
What if acetaminophen is considered to treat acute sore throat for children?
Administer acetaminophen 10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours for up to 2-3 days.
What side effects are commonly associated with acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen is generally well-tolerated. Side effects associated with acetaminophen include local gastrointestinal (GI) side effects (nausea and vomiting). There are some medications that can interact with acetaminophen. Make sure to consult your healthcare professional before starting acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen and Pregnancy
Clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of acetaminophen for treatment of sore throat excluded pregnant patients. However, acetaminophen is considered during pregnancy.
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
How can ASA treat my sore throat?
ASA belongs to a medication class called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Sore throats caused by upper respiratory tract infections can cause pain and swelling associated with inflammation. NSAIDs can reduce the inflammation to treat sore throat pain and swelling.
How do I take ASA tablets to treat my sore throat?
Take 2-3 regular strength (325 mg) tablets if sore throat has not lasted longer than 7 days. Take with full glass of water. If an upset stomach is of concern, take ASA with food. If symptoms are not resolved after 3 days, stop taking the medication and contact your family physician. This medication should not be taken by children under 16 years of age, unless advised by a physician.
How do I take ASA effervescent tablets?
Take 1-2 ASA effervescent tablets (325 mg) dissolved in approximately 5 ounces of water every 4-6 hours as needed for up to 3 days. Although not used in clinical trials for sore throat, ASA effervescent tablets (325mg) tablets can be taken up to 8 per day. Do not take with alcohol. If symptoms are not resolved after 3 days, stop taking the medication and contact your family physician. This medication should not be taken by children under 16 years of age, unless advised by a physician.
Do not take ASA effervescent tablets if:
· If you are allergic to aspirin or other ingredients in Alka-Seltzer, or allergic to other NSAIDs
· If you are taking other aspirin or NSAID medications
· You have or had GI disease
· You have a bleeding disorder
· Are taking methotrexate at a high dose (i.e. 15mg/week)
· You are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor told you to take it
Before taking this product, speak to your doctor, if:
· You have tightness in your chest
· You have asthma
· Kidney, liver problems or low uric acid excretion
· History of GI disorder (regular stomach upsets)
· You are taking drugs to prevent clotting (i.e. warfarin), lower blood sugar (insulin, sulphonylureas), treat gout or decrease water retention
· You are taking medicine due to cardiac issues or to decrease blood pressure (ACE inhibitors, cardiac glycosides, digoxin, digitoxin)
· You are taking corticosteroids, pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory drugs
· You are taking methotrexate, sodium valproate, or phenytoin.
What if caffeine is considered as adjunctive treatment to ASA?
Take caffeine 32-100 mg (usually available in combination products with ASA) with ASA oral tablets.
What side effects are commonly associated with ASA or Caffeine?
Side effects associated with ASA include local gastrointestinal (GI) side effects (diarrhea, dyspepsia), GI bleeding, and ringing in the ears (rare). As an example, if you were to injure/cut yourself while taking this medication, there can be an increased risk of bleeding. Other side effects can include black tarry stools, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. There are some medications that can interact with ASA. ASA and other NSAIDs can increase risk of bleeding. Make sure to consult your healthcare professional before starting ASA. Caffeine may increase heart rate.
ASA and Pregnancy
Clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of ASA for treatment of sore throat excluded pregnant patients. However, ASA can be used during the 1st and 2nd trimester. ASA should not be taken during the 3rd trimester.
How do I store these medications?
· Keep medications at room temperature
· Keep out of reach of children
· Do not remove tablets from container or pouch until you are ready to use
· ASA effervescent tablets are usually packaged in quantities of two, if only one is used, discard the other
· If container or pouch appears to be damaged, do not use
· Check expiry on the container or pouch before using
References
Alka-Seltzer. (2013). Alka-Seltzer ® Original. Retrieved from http:// http://alka-seltzer.com/as/as_original.html.
Lexi-Comp OnlineTM , Pediatric & Neonatal Lexi-Drugs OnlineTM , Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp, Inc.; March 27, 2013.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series [Internet database]. Greenwood Village, Colo: Thomson Reuters (Healthcare) Inc; March 27, 2013.