Danger of taking over the counter painkillers when on Anticoagulants

[lynwest]

Has anyone heard recently of medics raising the danger of taking otcs regularly when on Anticoagulants, sometimes causing death from Pulmonary Embolisms or Deep Vein Thrombosis?

[Jalia]

Which painkillers? It is not normally advised to take Ibuprofen which most should be aware of. Nor any NSAIDs for that matter. These have been shown to promote arrhythmias.

[BobD Volunteer]

Short answer. No. We should all know by now that NSAIDs are a no no both with anticoagulants and just having AF unless they have been living on Mars with Matt Damon.

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

🤣

[opal11uk]

The only pain killer my GP would recommend was Paracetamol, she said that interacted less with anticoags. I try not to take anything to be honest but if I feel the need desperately then Paracetamol. I have gone all of my life drug averse and I hate taking those that keep me going, won't add more if I can help it lol.

[babs1234]

that’s worrying, I’ve been prescribed co- codamol

[CDreamer in reply to babs1234]

Firstly everyone has picked up on painkillers when all the original poster said was OTC’s or Over the Counter medication of which there are literally thousands, a few of which may interact with anticoagulants so always safest to check by asking the Pharmasist or check on a reliable Drug website which many of us use and has been quoted many times.

I have seen no such claims so until you know the source - which has not been quoted - I would ignore this post as scaremongering, deliberate or unintentional. I would not trust anything where no source is quoted so that you can check for yourself.

Co-codamol is a very strong painkiller and is only available through prescription OTC refers to ‘Over the Counter’ drugs you purchase without a prescription such as Ibuprofen which is an antiinflammatory and which Bob has already explained is not advisable for anyone with AF as it is well known to cause AF. Incidentally you need a prescription to get ibuprofen in some countries.

If yo are unsure or concerned about any medication OTC or a prescription drug please speak to the issuing Pharmacist who will have a list of all your other medications and will be able to advise you how to stay safe.

Best wishes

[beardy_chris in reply to CDreamer]

I think one can get lower dose co-codamol over the counter. I was prescribed high-dose co-codamol by the hospital following surgery, I have permanent AF and I'm on Apixaban. I'm not a medic but this would tend to show it can be acceptable - though you should, of course, consult your medical team.

[Ducky2003 in reply to beardy_chris]

Yes, you can get up to 8mg co-codamol over the counter. Any higher, it's prescription.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Ducky2003]

Even the smallest amount of Codine makes me feel like I'm going to die. The most dreadful feeling. Dad could not take it either and it makes my mum behave like she's dopy, drugged, drunk. The more she has the worse it gets and with a recent bout of sciatica when she was advised 4 doses a day, she ended up so ill I had to put her back to bed. At that point I took them away and hid them and left her on paracetamol only. Paracetamol don't do much for me sadly.

[CDreamer in reply to beardy_chris]

Poster said she had been prescribed but thanks for the info.

[Ducky2003 in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CD. You can get up to 8mg Co-codamol OTC but anything higher is prescription.😊As you say, your pharmacist should be in the ball with contraindications anyway.

Ours refused to sell me Ibruprofen until I assured him it was for someone else.

[CDreamer in reply to Ducky2003]

When I was living in Spain you couldn’t buy Ibruprofen, it was only available on prescription so well done to your Pharmacist for being on the ball! Have to say that is why I like staying with a small independent Pharmacy as they get to know you and you them, rather than big multiples or having it delivered. Take care.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

The title says OTC Painkillers.

[Ppiman in reply to babs1234]

Codeine seems to have been given a much greener flag when I last looked. There are some concerns over it, as I recall, but nothing like those that exist for the aspirin family of NSAID drugs which directly can cause inflammation and bleeding in the GI tract. I would trust your doctor or maybe ask him or her about non-drug ways, through exercise and physio perhaps, to help the pain (depending on the cause of the pain, of course).

Steve

[RoyMacDonald in reply to babs1234]

That's mostly Paracetamol and a small dose Codeine. Unfortunately I react badly to the codeine and it makes me throw up.

All the best.

Roy

[gladliz in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Codine does that to me as well, so never taken it since. Having AF and being on warfarin can only take paracetamol.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to babs1234]

I have been told l can take Co-Codamol. You can obtain these over the counter at the chemist. They are not so strong as the prescription ones. I take warfarin. I was also given these at AE while on warfarin . I have only ever taken them when absolutely necessary and wouldn’t make a habit of any pain killers.

[Desanthony in reply to babs1234]

My Doc prescribes co-codamol for me when your Doc prescribes a pinkiller for you always remind them you are on anticoagulants - I used to be on really strong painkillers and NSAid's for my chronic neck and back pain and co-codamal is the strongest the GP will prescribe for me while on anticoagulants. When buying over the counter painkillers always do so in a pharmacy where you can ask the pharmacist whether or not these interact with your anticoagulants.

[southkorea in reply to babs1234]

That is ok too!

[CDreamer]

Lyn, it seems to me, from glancing at your posts that you are extremely, I would say excessively worried about taking anticoagulants, If this is the case then please speak to your doctor and seek reassurance.

I treat anticoagulants as my best friend and my guardian against stroke, I don’t want to take them but I want the alternative even less and having already had a TIA because I had stopped taking them after successful ablations, I will be on them for life so have learned to live, quite happily, with them and still use some OTC medications, supplements, herbs and spices but inform myself as to which may be a problem and in what doses. Some foods also interact with some anticoagulants and depending upon the type of a/c you need to also watch what you eat. Information is key, but best obtained from a professional, preferably Pharmacist or Nutritionist. I hate drugs but have been on Apixaban now for over 20 years and had no problems despite operations and dental work and taking numerous OTC’s, supplements, herbs and spices nearly every day.

If you are unsure about anything you take, including supplements, always check with the pharmacist if you want to stay on the safe side but please don’t generalise as this can scare others and fear is just about the worst antagonist for AF.

Take care & best wishes.

[maurice2]

I was told by a nurse that paracetamol was ok but I've hardly ever taken it.

[RoyMacDonald]

I take paracetamol. Max dose twice a day. My GP prescribes it.

All the best.

Roy

[mav7]

Best to coordinate all medications with your doctor.