New Drug Warnings

Do you take acetaminophen, ibuprofin or naproxen to relieve your pain? Well, you may be interested to hear this. The Food and Drug Administration, otherwise known as the FDA, is requiring manufacturers of NSAIDs to put new warnings on all of their bottles.

The new labels will warn of potential liver and stomach damage, which is more likely to occur if you exceed the recommended dosage, or combine these medications with alcohol. The risk factors are also higher in people over the age of 60, if you already have stomach ulcers or if you take blood thinners.

What does this mean for you? Well, many people rely on over-the-counter medications for musculoskeletal pain, which comes from the joints and muscles. This includes arthritis, chronic back pain and some types of headaches. If you have any of these conditions, is there anything you should be worried about? Well, if you have any of the risk factors mentioned, or if you take these medications regularly, you might want to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If he feels you are at risk for stomach bleeding or liver damage from your medication, he can help you make changes to your medication regime.