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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Actually trusts us to read the labels on drugs sold over the counter. Big mistake. "Guys often assume that because a drug is available without a prescription, it's not dangerous," says Vincent Hartzell, Pharm.D., of Hartzell's Pharmacy in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Painkillers are the most problematic. Taking too much ibuprofen (Advil) can cause acute kidney failure—the maximum daily dose is 1,200 milligrams. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can mess up your liver, so never take more than 4,000 milligrams in a 24-hour period. (Acetaminophen also shows up in several common prescription pain meds, including Vicodin, so be careful about combining them.) What's the best way to combat your pain? Dr. Pacosa prefers ibuprofen to acetaminophen because of its anti-inflammatory effects. For long-lasting pain, he recommends naproxen (Aleve). "If you've hurt your back and it's going to be bothering you for a couple of days, take Aleve," he says. "For a headache, take Advil."Cold meds: Mix-and-match madnessPotions for coughs and colds take up miles of pharmacy aisles, but all those formulations hide a mundane reality that can baffle customers: They simply recombine the same drugs—pain relievers, antihistamines, decongestants, cough suppressants, and expectorants. This meager trove of weapons means drugmakers will routinely combine ingredients that have opposing side effects—assuming the company can make a new claim for a cold remedy.Take nighttime formulas. The decongestants in these meds make you peppy, while antihistamines make you sleepy. You wouldn't think the combo would make for a good night's sleep, but this formulation is nevertheless considered sleep-inducing.
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