Here’s a few that you should know about.Īs mentioned above, NSAIDs can have several harmful side effects, especially if taken at high doses for long periods of time. Many prescription pain medications can be used safely after a heart attack, but several can potentially cause problems. What pain medications should I avoid after a heart attack? If you need prescription medication to treat your pain, you and your healthcare provider can decide which medication is right for you. The best medication often depends on the type of pain you’re treating and your underlying risks. There are several different types of prescription pain medications available, including NSAIDs, opioids, gabapentinoids, and others. What about prescription pain relievers - are they safe? However, they have caused skin burns or blistering in rare cases, so products containing these ingredients should be used with caution. Other topical OTC pain relievers containing capsaicin, menthol, or methyl salicylate - like Bengay, Capzasin, Flexall, and Icy Hot - can also be used. If you have liver problems or if you consume alcohol (three or more drinks every day), you should talk to your healthcare provider because you may need a lower dose to avoid liver damage. However, liver damage can occur if you take very large doses or if you take doses above the recommended daily limit over long periods of time. Tylenol doesn’t have the same risks as NSAIDs when it comes to your heart. While it may be less effective than NSAIDs, many people still find that it helps with pain relief. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is one of the safest pain medications to use if you’ve had a heart attack. Because of this, you’ll want to talk to your provider first before giving them a try. However, applying large quantities can still be risky - it’s possible to absorb too much of the medication.Įven though studies have suggested that they’re lower risk, topical NSAID labeling advises against using the products if you’ve had a heart attack - unless the benefits outweigh the risks. This is because the medication is applied to the skin and can’t reach some deeper locations of pain. While topical NSAIDs and other topical pain relievers are thought to be safer than oral NSAIDs, they may not be as effective at treating certain types of pain. In fact, one study found a 36% lower risk of heart problems with topical NSAIDs compared to oral NSAIDs. Topical NSAIDs like diclofenac gel usually don’t have the same risks as oral NSAIDs because not enough of the medication is absorbed into the body to cause the same effects. If you take aspirin, taking another NSAID medication can interfere with its benefits, so you should be especially cautious about taking oral NSAIDs if your provider also has you taking aspirin for stroke or heart attack prevention. In fact, it is often used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Also, aspirin does not have all of the same risks as other NSAIDs. If you’ve had a heart attack, your cardiologist - a provider specializing in treating heart conditions - may tell you to avoid taking NSAIDs because of this risk.Īspirin is an OTC medication that is also considered an NSAID, but it’s usually not used for pain relief. When taken orally, NSAIDs can cause high blood pressure, kidney damage, and can raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. NSAID pain medications that are OTC include naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for oral options, and diclofenac (Voltaren) gel as a topical medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of medications, available OTC and by prescription, that can lower inflammation and relieve pain. The rule of thumb is that you should always consult with a healthcare professional before taking a new OTC medication. However, if you have certain medical conditions, including a previous heart attack, high blood pressure, heart failure, or kidney disease, some OTC medications should be used with caution. OTC medications are often safe to take, which is why these medications are available without a prescription. NOTE: If you are allergic or cannot take any of these medications, please let your doctor know so that alternative protocol can be discussed.View more medications Are over-the-counter medications safe to use after a heart attack? In an effort to reduce the amount of narcotic pain medicine needed after oral surgery, we recommend the following protocol.
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