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Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
Which Painkiller to Take? Here is Simple
Step-by-Step Guide by Harvard Heart Letter
This 1-2-3 guide helps senior citizens choose the
right medicine
 May
31, 2007 Senior citizens, who are the most likely adults to suffer
chronic pain, have faced a barrage of research reports pointing out the
dangers of almost every painkiller on the market. Still the pain
persists, so what should you do about finding relief from a pain
medicine. The June issue of the Harvard Heart Letter has a simple 1-2-3
procedure on how to decide which medicines you should take.
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Read the latest news on Senior
Health & Medicine |
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Not long ago, choosing a pain reliever meant
finding one that eased your pain without being too hard on the stomach.
Now, research suggests that some commonly used pain medicationsnot just
the now-banned Vioxxcan raise the risk of having a heart attack or
stroke.
The Harvard newsletter created this step-by-step
guide on choosing a pain reliever from information from the American
Heart Association. The article suggests this information is good for
both the heart and stomach.
1. Start with aspirin or acetaminophen
(Tylenol) to quell muscle or joint pain. Aspirin is good for the heart,
and acetaminophen doesnt affect blood clotting.
2. If they don't work, the next step
for most people would be a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
-try naproxen (Aleve) first, then ibuprofen (Advil).
3. Next is diclofenac, but more caution
is needed with this drug (which is available only by prescription).
4. Celebrex, the only drug in the class
known as COX-2 inhibitors that remains on the market, should be the last
resort for managing pain. In addition to the side effect of increasing
the risk of clots in the bloodstream, COX-2 inhibitors can also reduce
blood flow through the kidneys and raise blood pressure.
5. For short-term pain in some people,
a narcotic pain reliever such as tramadol (Ultram), codeine, or fentanyl
(Actiq, Duragesic) may be an option.
The AHA warns consumers that all over-the-counter
drugs should be used in strict accordance with label directions and that
if an over-the-counter NSAID is needed for more than 10 days, consult a
physician.
The Harvard Heart Letter notes that you shouldnt
be afraid to take aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve for occasional aches
and pains. But if you need a pain reliever several times a week, pay
closer attention to your choices and talk with your doctor.
Also in this issue:
Angioplasty vs. medical therapy
Using CT scans to diagnose heart disease
Spinal alignment and blood pressure
More evidence against trans fats
Can I stop taking my blood pressure medicine? And, can I take
nitroglycerine during exercise?
The Harvard Heart Letter is available from Harvard
Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School,
for $28 per year. Subscribe at
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart
or by calling 1-877-649-9457 (toll free).
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