Acetaminophen is one of the most common over-the-counter medications because it has a variety of uses. You will find it in cough and flu medicines that bring together multiple active ingredients as well as in stand-alone products. One reason for its wide use is because it helps to bring down fever symptoms while also acting as a pain management tool.
There are side effects that can become quite serious, though, as well as other ways to get the job done. Long term acetaminophen use is generally discouraged, and many people rotate medicines to make sure they are not overusing it by overlooking when it is in flu medication over the counter.
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Pain Management
Most of the time, acetaminophen is used as a pain management medicine, typically in over the counter formulas. There are also some prescription medications that include acetaminophen as an active component. It can help with pain from inflammation, general soreness, and even trauma pain to a limited degree.
Not everyone finds it an ideal choice for general pain, but it does provide an option alongside ibuprofen, aspirin, and other over the counter pain medications. If you find that one of the other OTC choices will not control your pain, it’s worth rotating through them and giving each a chance until you find what works.
May Cause Fatigue
One of the most common side effects of acetaminophen is increased fatigue. If you use more than is recommended, it is much more likely to happen as well. The safest way to rely on acetaminophen in your OTC medication rotation is to keep a stand-alone tablet you can take in conscientious ways while choosing medicines for cold and flu without acetaminophen. That way you do not have to worry about secondary doses increasing your odds of having side effects.
In cases of severe overuse, more pronounced side effects like drowsiness or decreased liver function can happen. Serious side effects are most likely to occur with long-term overuse, but it is best to make sure you are aware of how much you are taking at all times so you do not accidentally exceed those levels. Additional side effects from overuse include constipation, increased nausea, and itchy rash-like symptoms.
Additional Options for Treating Cold and Flu Symptoms
There are a lot of cold and flu products that do not rely on acetaminophen. Other options include agents that reduce congestion to relieve symptoms, as well as those with alternative fever reducers and pain management ingredients. Check out Brillia Health reviews to learn more about an alternative medication for your cold and flu symptoms when you are avoiding acetaminophen.
Be ready to check out a range of options for treating various symptoms, because often the best way to avoid overdoing it on an analgesic pain reliever is to skip over major combination medications in favor of a few targeted choices that address specific symptoms more effectively. The results are worthwhile, both for your long-term health and your recovery from this year’s seasonal viruses. Check out your options today.
