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Last updated Friday, January 07, 2005
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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