OTC medications – kill or cure?

‘You should try Nurofen Plus for period pain,’ said my friend Rachel, a smart 30-something accountant.  ‘It doesn’t just zap the pain but gives you that lovely woozy slightly out-of-it feeling.  I’m addicted!’

She might joke about it but that ‘out-of-it’ feeling is caused by codeine phosphate, an opiate in the same family as morphine and heroin.  And yes, actually, she could well be addicted.  In 1999, the British actor Mel Smith was rushed to hospital with a burst stomach ulcer after becoming addicted to Nurofen Plus (a compound painkiller containing Codeine and Ibuprofen) – he had taken more than 50 pills in one day.

49 year old Linda Docherty, a local government worker, from the North of England died of kidney failure after taking up to 64 pills a day.  Coroner Simon Nelson called for a debate on the distribution and sale of Nurofen Plus and similar medicines.  He’s not the only one who’s worried.  There is growing concern amongst the medical profession worldwide about the dangers of common everyday OTC (over-the-counter) medicines.

OTC painkillers, cough medicines and sleep aids are freely available from high street chemists and Internet pharmacies, so surely they are safe?  Well, maybe not as safe as we imagine.

David Grieve, founder of the UK’s Over-Count Drugs Information Agency, says:  ‘We estimate a current 30,000 plus people are currently having some problem with an OTC product in the UK and Ireland.  We have 16,000 people who have problems with OTC drugs on our ‘books’ alone, with 2,000 new people coming to us each year.’  In the United States it is estimated that misuse of OTC drugs causes 178,000 hospitalisations a year and that one in ten teenagers abuses cough medicines to get high.

There are two main areas of concern. Firstly people unintentionally take too much of one drug, generally because the same drug can crop up in a host of combination products. ‘An example would be an OTC preparation for daytime cold relief,’ says pharmacist Shabir Daya of Victoria Health, an online health company, ‘followed by a cough remedy and then a night-time flu remedy that could also contain Paracetamol (acetaminophen).  In effect the patient could possibly use Paracetamol three times over in high doses.’

Secondly people become addicted to a product (usually one containing opiates such as Codeine, which give a feeling of wellbeing), having to take more and more to achieve the same effect.

Grieve says that the most problematic products are Solpadeine/Solpadol (Panadeine in Australia), Nurofen Plus, Tylenol, Co-codamil, Syndol and Feminax – and that the vast majority of misusers are women.  ‘80 percent of our clients are women, with the 22-30 year old age group most affected.  The average amount of misuse is around 18 tablets a day; the most we know of are people taking up to 70 tablets a day.’

‘There is a lack of knowledge and understanding,’ says Dr Catriona Matheson, Senior Research fellow in the Department of General Practice and Primary Care in the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. ‘People can become dependent on the opiate component of drugs like Nurofen Plus and Solpadeine but they also have ingredients such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen which you should not take in large doses.’

But can such everyday drugs really be that dangerous?  Yanir Hanoch, lecturer at the University of Plymouth, School of Psychology, certainly thinks so.  ‘OTC pain relievers have long been associated with serious side effects,’ he writes in the British Medical Journal, ‘ranging from gastro-intestinal problems, acute liver failure and even death.’

‘With Paracetamol there is certainly the risk of liver damage,’ agrees Dr Matheson. ‘Ibuprofen is an irritant to the stomach, in some cases causing (or worsening) stomach ulcers.  It can also exacerbate asthma in susceptible individuals.’

The supreme irony is that taking a painkiller for headaches (for too long or too often) can actually make your headaches worse.  It’s called medication overuse syndrome and can occur if you take as few as six painkillers a week.

It’s not just painkillers that cause problems.  Take Nytol, a sleep aid which contains the antihistamine diphenhydramine Hcl.  Side effects can include anxiety, nervousness and cardiac arrhythmia (palpitations) while chronic misuse can lead to gastro-intestinal disorders, chronic mood swings, violence, anxiety, stress, early morning headaches and palpitations.  According to the Over-Count website, addiction can occur when a single tablet is taken regularly over as little as 14-25 days.

‘Unfortunately it is the perception of the public that, because products can be bought OTC, they are safe,’ says Dr Matheson.  ‘Although the dose of, say, Codeine is relatively low, regular use for one to two weeks can pose the risk of a physical dependence.’

Jenny Hamilton*, now 38, started taking Feminax (a Codeine-based painkiller) for painful periods when she was a teenager.  ‘Within four years I wasn’t just taking Feminax for period pains,’ she says, ‘I was having a couple every four hours just to feel normal.’  She moved on to taking Codeine and Nytol and ended up taking 56 pills a day and spending over £150 a week on OTC medicines. The crunch came when she accidentally overdosed and was rushed to hospital.  ‘I was feeling particularly uptight and sneaked to the bathroom and took an extra 16 Codeine painkillers on top of the 40 or so I’d already taken,’ she says.  ‘I suddenly realized what I’d done, panicked and tried to make myself sick but I couldn’t.  I blurted out to my husband that I’d taken an overdose and to get me to hospital.  He had no idea I was addicted.  At hospital the doctors said it was too late to pump my stomach, so I had to lie on a trolley all night, waiting to see if I’d get through it.  It was terrifying. I wasn’t taking the pills because I was depressed or suicidal. ‘I’d just become so addicted I couldn’t cope without them.’

However the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB), the trade association representing the manufacturers of OTC medicines, points out that the vast majority of us use medicines ‘safely and correctly’ and that OTC medicines are quite safe ‘if used according to the instructions on the pack.’

I take their point.  OTC medicines do have a valid role to play, offering fast effective relief from the symptoms of common ailments. Just remember that these are serious drugs and treat them with great respect.  Also consider a longer-term approach, seeking underlying causes for your symptoms.  This is where natural remedies can offer an alluring – and often valid – alternative (see below).

Whichever route you choose, be informed and be aware. It could save your life.

Keeping safe

The PAGB  (www.medicinechestonline.com) offers this advice on taking OTC medicines.

  • Always read and follow the instructions on the packet very carefully. If in any doubt, ask your pharmacist for advice.
  • Do not exceed the stated dose or treatment period.
  • Ask your pharmacist’s advice if you want to take a combination of OTC remedies (ie painkillers + flu remedies + sleep aid/decongestant) – you could be taking too much of one particular drug.
  • Not all drugs mix well.  Check the PAGB website (see above) for drug interactions.
  • Do not take medicines containing codeine or dihydrocodeine (another opiate) for more than three days at a time, unless under the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.  Check the ingredients carefully – it might not be evident from the front of the packet.
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking OTC medicines if you are pregnant or on prescription medicines.
  • If your symptoms persist consult a doctor or pharmacist.
  • If you think you may be addicted to OTC medicines, talk to your doctor.
  • Generally it is fine to take OTC medicines on an empty stomach, with the exception of aspirin.
  • It’s fine to drink alcohol while you are taking the majority of OTC medicines  – with the exception of paracetamol and sedative antihistamines (azatadine, carbinoxamine et al).

Are you at risk?

How quickly you could become dependent to an OTC medicine can vary enormously, depending on the medicine and your own response to it.  David Grieve of Over-Count says that you may be at risk if you:

  • Take a product on a regular basis for more than the recommended period of treatment (usually over a period of seven days continuously).
  • Find you have to increase the amount of the product you need to take to obtain the same effect.
  • Find you are taking the product for a different reason (ie the headache has gone but you carry on taking the product because it makes you feel relaxed).
  • Have a previous history of addiction (to drugs, alcohol etc).
  • Have a history of psychiatric illness, especially depressive episodes
  • Have symptoms of anxiety, stress or mild depression.

Is there something more natural?

 Shabir Daya is a pharmacist who now researches and advises on natural alternatives to OTC remedies.  He believes many natural remedies can be just as effective as standard OTC medicines  –  without the risk of severe side effects.  Even better, many work on eliminating the root cause of the problem, rather than just suppressing the symptoms.  ‘However you may need to be patient,’ he warns.  ‘Most – though not all – require a commitment of several days or weeks before you notice results’.  These are some of his recommendations.

Note:  please consult a trained professional before taking any remedies if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have any chronic health conditions or problems.

 Paracetamol (for headaches)

Is there something more natural?  Sinol nasal spray.  Capsaicin (the active component in chillies) has been proven in clinical trials to kill pain by desensitizing the trigeminal nerve that leads from the nose to the brain.  Research from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons shows that active ingredients are absorbed much more quickly through the nasal membrane – and don’t have to fight their way through stomach acid.

How to use: Sniff 2-3 times in each nostril as soon as you feel a headache coming on.

Feminax (for period pain)

Is there something more natural? Chasteberry extract by Nature’s Plus.

Chasteberry (vitex agnus castus) acts on the pituitary gland to increase the secretion of luteinizing hormone which leads to greater production of progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle. This helps to reduce premenstrual symptoms and alleviates heavy bleeding, cramping and painful periods.

How to use:  Take one tablet per day but be patient – it could take up to eight weeks to achieve hormonal balance.

Ibuprofen etc (for back pain)

Is there something more natural?   Pain Gone pen

Delivers a controlled electronic frequency that reduces or relieves pain, pretty much instantly.  It works particularly well for pain caused by sciatica, arthritis, tennis elbow, spondylosis and general aches and pains.  A study at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield found the pen ‘resulted in significant reduction in pain’ for patients with chronic pain in the low back and large joints.

How to use:  press the ‘pen’ over the painful part whenever you feel pain.

Gaviscon (for indigestion)

Is there something more natural?  Digest RC by Herbapol

A traditional herbal formula (containing black radish, charcoal, artichoke, cholic acid and peppermint) that works by strengthening your natural digestive process.

How to use: Start by taking two tablets with each main meal – after a few days you will probably be able to reduce the dosage.

Benylin (for coughs)

Is there something  more natural?  Marshmallow and Mullein cough syrup

Both marshmallow and mullein are traditional herbal remedies for coughs and bronchial problems.  Marshmallow soothes the inflamed tissue, making breathing easier, while mullein is an expectorant (loosening phlegm) traditionally used for congestion.

How to use:  Take two teaspoons three times a day while you have the cough.

Piriton (for hayfever and allergies)

Is there something more natural?  Aller DMG by Food Sciences of Vermont

Contains perilla, a rich source of rosmarinic acid). A double-blind clinical trial at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan, discovered that 70 percent of people who took rosmarinic acid felt their hayfever symptoms were alleviated.  The substance appears to suppress the allergic response and reduce inflammation.

How to use: Take two tablets daily.

Night Nurse, Nytol etc (sleeping difficulties)

Is there something more natural?  Seditol

Research at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine found that insomnia can be caused by too much cortisol (a stress hormone).  Seditol contains magnolia, which relaxes muscles and nerves and disperses excess cortisol.  Ziziphus, meanwhile, soothes an over-active mind. It can take up to three weeks for Seditol to kick in but it’s worthwhile – in a recent trial, 93 percent of testers said it helped them relax and 89 percent said that Seditol reduced fatigue due to lack of sleep.

How to use:  take one capsule on hour before bedtime.

My verdict:  don’t be panicked into not using OTC medication – it is safe and effective if used correctly.  But do think about what you use and how often you use it – if you think you’re overdoing it, check with your physician or pharmacist

The Pain Gone pen is available from www.tower-health.co.uk

All other natural remedies can be ordered from www.victoriahealth.com

( I recommend Victoria Health because their knowledge, customer care and service is superb.)

Over-Count Drugs Information Service www.over-count.org.uk offers advice and support for all OTC drug problems.

www.codeinefree.me.uk is a support group for people addicted to codeine.

* not her real name

 

Photo by Christina Victoria Craft on Unsplash

Comments

  1. Have just taken 2 Nurofen (bog standard) with a Diet Coke and a fish butty for my hangover. Think if I’d left the Nurofen out the other two could be classed as natural hangover cures?

  2. Wonderfully informative and useful info., Jane. Father was i/c clinical trials for what was then Brufen, and thought it of limited use and potentially dangerous – that was in the ’60s …

  3. Can concur from personal experience how addictive codeine is. I take Dihydrocodeine, Tramadol or any one of another similar preparations on prescription, although despite them being much higher doses that any over the counter form, they no longer make me feel fuzzy!

    Six years ago I became very concerned at my ‘dependency’ on these drugs, and asked my GP to find me a better way to manage the symptoms, because the drugs left me spaced out and unable to carry on with normal duties, like drive (If you get stopped under the influence, you can be prosecuted for it in the same way as Drunk driving is dealt with). I now have various spinal injections and a caudal epidural every 12 weeks, and only take the drugs when I REALLY need them.

    Thing was, I wasn’t told to wean myself off them slowly. So a week or so later I went to my GP with what I thought was a bad dose of the flu that didn’t want to go away. Sweats, shaking, feeling ill, pain all over …. except it wasn’t, it was withdrawal. I was doing the equivalent of going Cold Turkey!

    I have a friend too, who, when you or I might take a vitamin supplement, she takes Solpadiene. She takes this with her coffee in the morning and regularly through the day, and free admits, she’s addicted, and can’t cope without it.

    Agree with Phildelm about Brufen, used to take Brufen 400 and Synflex (another NSAID), and had to stop due to stomach pain. Wouldn’t touch them again either, even as the lower dosage Nurofen and its clones.

  4. Thanks for all the information Jane- there’s so much here. The names of drugs are sometimes different in the States as well as what is OTC. But, as you have said- the internet solves that.

    I tend to be as cautious about using natural remedies as the manufactured ones, although I do have a regular dependency on ibuprofen for sciatica pain. No problems with it so far but not as much help as I would like. I wonder if the Pain Gone pen is available here?

    One of the things that really concern me is the effect of drugs on older people and how to monitor the safety of multiple drugs. I’m watching as my mother as she is aging, with memory loss and I suspect that she’s metabolising medications differently that she did in past years. And then being able to keep her nutrition and fluids up is becoming a worry. Always something to watch out for.

  5. I have used many pain killers in the past for headache. My doctors had put me on Migranol for some time which made me pass out after using it.
    Last year it became apparent to me that I needed another solution. My new neurologist gave me Sinol Nasal Spray just like you mentioned in your article. This spray has relieved my headaches sometimes in minutes. The key to using this product is to apply when you feel the headache coming. Thats when it works the best. Very good product, all natural and has no side effects, can’t woggle at that!!

  6. This was so interesting Jane. I will definitely look out for the hay fever relief. Any current OTC medication sends me to sleep for the afternoon – not always what is wanted!

    I can vouch for taking Evening Primrose or Starflower oil capsules for relieving period pains. Well not so much the pain itself but the pain is very much reduced and esp. if heavy or irregular (or in my case all three) it can help both lighten and regulate! You take it all the time but after a month or so it starts to work. I know when I haven’t been taking it, oh boy do I!
    CKx

  7. Jane this was informative, fascinating and quite terrifying. I have to take paracetamol and codeine (on prescription) for my kidney cyst/back pain and feel like a total junkie every time I resort to the stuff. I’ve been searching for a natural alternative, but haven’t found anything yet. I’m going to have a look at the Pain Gone Pen to see if that might help. Thanks!

  8. Hmm, interesting that you mention Feminax. I’ve always thought I’m rather intolerant to painkillers and don’t take them as they make me feel a bit ‘spaced out’ but now you’ve made me realise it’s not just in my head. I take Feminax and can only take one at a time as two completely knock me sideways. I shall be a lot more careful now, thanks.

  9. I just want to add that people often take herbs the way they take OTC drugs. They pluck something of the shelf because they’ve heard it does one thing or another. Herbal remedies are best administered by a trained herbalist–they really do address underlying causes but seldom when used as single agents. A herbalist will take detailed case histories and formulate an individualized medicine which often has many herbs in it. It’s also worth noting that not all herbal remedies off the shelf are as fresh and potent as those administered by a herbalist. Hope you don’t mind my plug for herbal medicine! OTCs can be valuable but they are so often abused and over-used.

  10. I couldn’t agree more, Deb…..and I would totally endorse what you’re saying about finding a qualified medical herbalist. I’ll post something about herbal medicine in the future but, for now, thank you very much for flagging up this point.

  11. Yup, I have friends who take Feminax precisely BECAUSE it makes them feel that way!! LOL but also a bit scary.

  12. Sarah, thanks so much for your comment. I am really pleased that you found the Sinol Nasal Spray so good – great to have the research validated by personal experience. Even more pleased it zaps your headaches!

  13. Heck, Zoe, that’s a cautionary tale. Shocking that your doctor didn’t warn you to wean yourself off them gently…. We can easily build up a heck of a tolerance to these drugs – the reason why so many people become addicted.

  14. Maybe you should edit the blog name title OTC medications – kill or cure? never knowingly overwhelmed…. to more specific for your subject you create. I liked the post still.

  15. I can attest to the effectiveness of paingone. It’s a really great little device! I use it on my arthritic knee on a daily basis and it has really helped me sleep better. I have written more over my blog at http://jamesthoughts.com/pain-gone-pen-review/ for anyone that might be interested in buying this gadget!

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