Safest Over-the-Counter Painkiller for Seniors

Safest Over-the-Counter Painkiller for Seniors

How to Choose the Safest Over-the-Counter Painkiller for Seniors

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Q: First, our 83-year old Father is complaining about lots of aches and pains. Second, what is the safest OTC (over-the-counter) pain pill for him? Finally, we have heard that some of them bad for your liver as well as the kidneys.

A: To illustrate, lots of different aches and pains are a common problem for senior men and women.

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To illustrate, your Dad has been complaining about pain. Hence, make sure he gets a careful evaluation from his health care professional.. After all, ongoing levels of pain can be the sign of an underlying health issue. Furthermore, the issue may need to be addressed immediately. You’re also more likely to help reduce pain when doctors identify the underlying causes of the pain.

Ask the Pharmacist what over-the-counter analgesics are safest for seniors

Again, improper use of OTC painkillers is a major cause of harm to the elderly. Med-Q Medication Compliance System tells what OTC painkiller geriatricians usually consider the safest. Finally, this is the common painkillers that are found in a pill dispenser.

Keep Your Elderly Dad One Safe at Home

safest OTC (over-the-counter) pain pill

What’s the safest OTC painkiller for an older parent?

For most older adults, the safest OTC painkiller for daily or frequent use is acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol). However, never take more than 3,000 mg per day. Hence a loaded electronic pill dispensers can be dangerous.

Acetaminophen is usually called paracetamol outside the U.S.

Safest Over-the-Counter Painkiller for Seniors

Safest Over-the-Counter Painkiller for Seniors

First of all, Acetaminophen , is cleansed by the liver. Second of all, in high doses it may lead to serious — sometimes even deadly — liver damage. Hence, if the senior has a track record of drinking or chronic liver disease, lower daily limit should be used. Med-Q
electronic pill dispensers. strongly suggested that you speak with the doctor about a daily limit.

Most people don’t’ know the level of acetaminophen in many other OTC meds.

For example, acetaminophen is in other over-the-counter medications. For example, Nyquil and Theraflu. Another example, in prescription medications such as Percocet. Consequently. seniors can end up taking more daily acetaminophen than they know. Finally, it is indeed dangerous. Again, current research suggests that 38 percent of overdoses cases are accidental.

Be careful or avoid this common class of painkillers

At the pharmacy, the most used alternatives to acetaminophen are ibuprofen. For example, Motrin as well as Advil. Another alternative, naproxen (brand names Aleve, Naprosyn, and Anaprox).

Researchers estimate that NSAIDs cause 40,000 hospitalizations and 3,450 deaths among senors in 2017.

Fact, senior men and women are never told about the risks associated with NSAIDs. Furthermore, when at the drugstore, ibuprofen is chosen over acetaminophen, because they’ve heard rumors that Tylenol can cause liver damage.

Both of these are in a particular call called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In fact, lots of seniors know about these tablets. But in fact, senior men and women ought to be very careful before using NSAIDs. Hence, an electronic pill dispensers. filled with these may be dangerous. First of all, these are different than acetaminophen. Hence, less risk to take as one ages. NSAIDs has some negative side-effects. Again, these are especially likely to cause harm to the elderly. These include:

  • First, an increased risk of bleeding inside the stomach, small bowel as well as the colon. In addition, seniors taking daily aspirin or a blood-thinner are at a higher level of risk.
  • Causes some kinds of problems with the stomach lining, which can cause stomach pain. In addition, it could lead to a peptic ulcer.
  • Lowering the individuals kidney function. This is a big problem for older adults who have a decline in kidney function.
  • Interference with high blood pressure prescription medications.
  • Fluid retention then may raise heart failure risk.

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stored under lock and key
stored under lock and key

If you can’t remember whether you took your medication, what do you do?

What happens if you don’t remember if you took your medications?  When one is not sure if you took a pill, never, ever just take another dose yet. What could happen if you double dose?  If someone ingests an additional dose, the consequences can be deadly. In fact, an extra dose can raise the risk of harmful effects. Check your pill organizer, count the remaining pills in the bottle, or review the instructions that came with your prescription to find specific guidance. 

doctorHealth care profsionals are in agreement, “For most medications, it is safer to accidentally miss a single dose than to double dose” . Keep in mind that the pill/dosing guidelines vary drastically depending on the medication.  For example, it is different for  blood thinners or something like birth control.), it is always best to double-check with a professional.  If in doubt, call the local pharmacy you got the prescription filled.  Also, call e the America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 .  This can help if you are concerned about over dosing. 

For further guidance, consult I can’t remember whether I took my medication, what do I do? on Medical News Today. To help prevent confusion in the future, you can implement some 9 Simple Strategies for Remembering To Take Your Medication or read the Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Medication guide on WebMD.
 
If you are missing doses consistently, a few strategies can help get your routine back on track:
  • Use a weekly pillbox: These old fashion pill holders can be useful.   They show a quick visual cue to show which days  doses have been taken.
  • Use a Digital Pill Reminder: Medication reminders, like the Med-Q pill Box. have flashing guides.  These alarmed reminders help preventing over dosing. 
  • Try to do Habit stacking: Match up your daily pill-taking with a non-negotiable daily habit.  For example, your first cup of coffee or brushing yourhair.
  • Set electronic reminders: Use persistent reminder apps, alarm clocks, or simple smart phone alarm reminders.

What to do if Unsure?

The worry about over doing is real.  When unsure whether the dose has been taken, the best thing to do is speak with your health care provider or even your pharmacist. They will  advise you on the best course of action based on ythe specific medication. that is over dosed.

pill box for seniors

If you take oral tablets or capsules, you can count how many pills you have left. If you know when you started taking the pills out of that prescription bottle, this could help you determine whether you’ve taken your dose for that day.

Sometimes, when you haven’t taken your medication, there may still be time to take that dose. However, this could depend on the drug and dosing schedule.

Although in some cases, if it’s almost time to take your next dose, your doctor may recommend skipping the missed dose and taking your next dose at its regular time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose as doing so could raise your risk of side effects.

What happens if you accidentally take your medication twice?

Do not take more of a drug than your doctor prescribes. While serious side effects may be rare, for some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose. Some of the most dangerous medications to double-dose include:

  • heart maintenece medications
  • ADHD drugs, for example “Adderall”
  • medications for Type 1 Diabetes
  • prescription narcotic pain pills
  • psychiatric medications , for example “Wellbutrin.”

If you have any doubt, act quickly. 

Fist of all, contact your doctor right away.  Let them know you may have accidentally taken two doses or three doses of your daily medication. They will offer up advice.  The Healthcare profesional can often advise of what steps to take.  Also, they will let you know about symptoms to watch out for.

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