Overused Pain Relievers

KIMA

Story Published: May 23, 2008 at 5:36 PM PDT

By Heather Reese

Drugstore shelves are filled with more than 350 kinds of pain relievers. Most carry warnings—“do not take more than directed” or “do not exceed recommended dose”—but not everyone heeds them. Consumer Reports says beware of overusing over-the-counter pain relievers.

People don’t realize it’s risky to take more than the recommended dose or to use pain relievers for weeks at a time without consulting a doctor. And overuse of pain relievers can lead to many health problems, according to a Consumer Reports survey of 47,000 subscribers. Four percent—almost 2,000 people—suffered serious side effects including ulcers, or problems with their kidneys, heart, or liver.

If you have trouble reading the directions on over-the-counter drugs, you’re not alone. A Consumer Reports survey of 6,000 online subscribers found almost half have difficulty reading the fine print.

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