Painkillers are sometimes necessary, but they can also be harmful. There’s a fine line between when painkiller medications are helpful, and when they become a problem.
When it comes to painkillers, one of the biggest problems today is misuse and addiction .
Many people suffer serious health issues from taking too many painkillers, but many people who are taking them may not realize when they’re consuming too many. Provided below is an educational guide to help you learn what happens when you take too many painkillers, including painkiller side effects, whether they’re over-the-counter medicines or prescription opioids.
What Painkillers Do
Types of Painkillers
Over-the-Counter Medications
Known as NSAIDs, the following drugs are taken for mild pain or fevers:
- Aspirin
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Tylenol
Opioids
The following drugs are taken for serious injury, for chronic pain, or after surgery:
- Codeine
- Vicodin
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Vicodin
Painkiller Symptoms
While painkillers can drastically help with pain, they can easily be overused. If someone takes any type of painkiller for too long or in too high of a quantity, they may begin to feel painkiller side effects that can cause severe health issues. If you or a loved one has taken too many painkillers, you may notice the following symptoms. Additionally, painkiller side effects may differ between the two different types.
Over the Counter Medications:
- Internal stomach bleeding (caused by taking Aspirin for too long)
- Liver damage (if Acetaminophen is taken in excess or mixed with alcohol)
- Kidney problems (caused by taking too much Ibuprofen)
- High blood pressure
- Fluid retention
- Stomach ulcers
If you regularly take over-the-counter medication, it’s important to visit your doctor if you notice any changes in your body. Issues may be serious and may take time to develop.
Opioids:
- Difficulty breathing
- Dependence and higher tolerance
- Addiction and substance abuse
- Overdose (also possible with OTC medicines)
- Tooth decay and bone loss
- Withdrawal after stopping
The effects of opioids are severe and may even cause death. If you notice the above signs in yourself or someone you know, it’s important to consult a medical professional to determine the best next steps.
Using Painkillers Responsibly
If you or a loved one must use over-the-counter or prescription painkillers to reduce pain, there are several steps to take to potentially avoid addiction or dependence, including:
- Take medicines as prescribed and decrease if you notice higher tolerance
- Talk to your doctor if you still feel pain
- Tell your doctor all medicines you’re taking
- Be aware of side effects
- Avoid alcohol and illicit drugs
