Frequently Asked Questions about Arthritis Medications.
Last updated Friday, January 07, 2005
Over-the-counter medicationsCan people with arthritis take over-the-counter drugs? Follow your doctor's advice when you consider using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
These drugs may seem harmless because they can be bought easily.
However, if they are abused, they can cause serious side effects. All
drugs-prescription or over-the-counter-can interact with each other
inside your body. The interaction between drugs can cause serious side
effects.
Many OTC medications, such as cough medicines or cold tablets,
contain aspirin or ibuprofen. If you take these in addition to
prescribed aspirin or another NSAID,
you might experience a harmful effect. Before buying an OTC drug, read
the label carefully. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist before
you take an OTC drug with your prescribed medications.
Ask your doctor before substituting an OTC medication for
prescription medication. If you have had a drug prescribed for your
arthritis and the drug is now available over-the-counter, you certainly
may buy it. Sometimes it costs less. These OTC equivalents, however,
are available in much lower dosages than your prescription drug. You
might need to take extra tablets just to meet your prescribed dosage.
There is no danger in doing this if you get the proper amount that is
needed to keep your arthritis under control. Ask your doctor to be sure.
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