Proper Use of OTC Pain Relievers

Your patients who use OTC acetaminophen or NSAIDs may not realize the importance of knowing the active ingredients and following dosing directions. Your guidance can help.

Core counseling points:

• Always follow the medicine label

• Note the label’s maximum single dose and total daily dose, and do not exceed them

• Different kinds of pain relievers have different doses. It is not safe to apply directions from one pain reliever to another

• Know the active ingredients in your medicines—both OTC and prescription

• Take ONLY ONE medicine containing the same active ingredient at a time

^{For information on acetaminophen overdose and the guidelines for the management of acetaminophen overdose, download this PDF}

^{*Not all formulations contain acetaminophen. Many OTC brands (like Excedrin®) have different formulations that contain acetaminophen or an NSAID.}