This morning, I woke up with a headache. I can count the times I’ve had a headache on one hand and one foot. Most of the time, a headache is due to sinuses. Today was different. I got up and went to the medicine cabinet to get some Tylenol or acetaminophen.
Tylenol, or its generic equivalent acetaminophen, comes in tablets, caplets, capsules, fast-acting gelcaps, and liquid. The tablets get stuck in my throat, so I get the capsules, caplets, or gelcaps because they go down easier. My doctor tells me that I shouldn’t take too many acetaminophen capsules, because they are metabolized in the liver. You have to be very careful about how much liquor you drink if you take Tylenol regularly, because alcohol is metabolized by the liver also. Now, I’m in a quandry. What else can I take to get rid of a headache?
The other medicines I have in my medicine cabinet are ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). The ibuprofen works really well because it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, an NSAID. This medicine is not a steroid; however, it works nicely to take away the inflammation due to joint pain and inflammation (arthritis), muscle pulls and strains, headaches, menstrual cramps, fever, neck pain, and toothaches (to name just a few conditions). The difference between Advil and Aleve is how long each one takes the pain away. If you have ibuprofen in the house, you have to take these every 4 to 6 hours, about 8 tablets per day. However, Aleve works for a much longer time. You don’t need to take this medicine every 4 to 6 hours, you take it every 12 hours. You only need to take 2 tablets in 24 hours.
Ibuprofen and naproxen also have side effects. These include: skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Ibuprofen can cause stomach irritation or ulcers (depending upon how long you’ve been taking it), and intestinal bleeding. A person who drinks alcohol must be very careful while taking ibuprofen or naproxen because these medicines are metabolized in the liver, just like Tylenol. You also have to be careful if you take cardiovascular drugs and ibuprofen, because these medicines could cause a stroke.
If you take lithium daily, don’t take ibuprofen or naproxen on a continuous basis, because they could cause your lithium not to work for you. These medicines could also cause a problem if you take high blood pressure medicine or blood thinners, so my recommendation is to ask your doctor before you take NSAIDs for headaches or other mild to moderate pain. Also, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please don’t take ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
The third medicine I would like to tell you about is codeine. Codeine is an opioid narcotic used to help mild to moderate pain. The opioid works by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and the gastrointestinal area inhibiting or blocking the perception of pain. Codeine is also used to treat non-productive cough.
Side effects of codeine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, skin reactions, vision problems, the possibility of addiction (depending on how long you take this medicine), and seizures. Addiction means that your brain needs the medicine because it makes you feel good. I want to make it clear here that taking pain medicine for a week or two will not create an addiction or drug dependence. If you are having severe pain and over-the-counter medicines do not help, please don’t be afraid to take Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Aleve or any opioid prescribed by your physician, as long as you take it as directed until the severe pain subsides. If you begin to enjoy this medicine because you get a feeling of well-being when you take it, and you don’t have pain anymore, then you may be addicted. If this is the case, you need to go to your physician and ask for help.
You should not take codeine or any other narcotic medications during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you do, the fetus will become addicted to this medication also. Don’t put your baby in jeopardy by taking any narcotics or smoking while pregnant.
If you have any questions or would like to comment, I would love to see them. Education is very important when it comes to over-the-counter medicines and prescription painkillers. Don’t be afraid to take opioid medications for pain because they are very effective; however, be mindful that if you abuse the medicine like taking too many or not taking them as directed, you will cause harm to your body.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I wish all my readers and their families a very Happy Thanksgiving! There will not be an article written tomorrow; however, I will see you all again on Friday. Take care, and don’t eat too much turkey 
))!
