Cough/cold medicines and paracetemol/neurofen

[Josie2]

Can we take these as normal or does it depend on what ra drugs we are taking?

Do i need to check with every medicine i take ie, cold medicines, painkillers, throat lozenges, etc etc, just normal run of the mill medication?

[Judi]

Josie, hi.

I can't take anything with ibruprofen in them as I'm on diclofenac. Paracetamol I can take. Most cough medicines have a concoction of drugs in them as we know, so I just take an old prescription to my local pharmasist and ask them what I can take, a nuisance I know but it's safer.

Judi

[Josie2]

Thanks Judi

Im just going to have to remember whatever i take needs checking out 1st.

Xxxxx

[oldtimer]

When "Which" did a report on cough medicines, they found there was no evidence to show that they worked any better than hot lemon and honey - which isn't going to interact with anything you are on and is cheaper.

If you already on any medications for pain (which is likely) look to see what they contain. Most of them contain paracetamol, and the maximum dose in 24 hours is 8 x 500mg (unless you have been told otherwise because you need to lower this maximum). We are often on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIs) like diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxyn, - I'm on meloxicam, a long acting one. So you should not take any other NSAIs with what you are prescribed.

Some of the complementary medicines also interact or affect the medication you are on. For example, I've been told not to take echinacea.

Check with your pharmacist before taking anything. They know where to look it up if they don't know already.

[parkie]

Hi Josie, I'm on so many medications that I write out on a card all the meds and dosage and carry it on me at all times so that if I want to buy over the counter meds, I hand it to the assistant who then takes it to the pharmarsist for checking, it saves time and they have the imformation at hand. I hope this helps. Take care Ann

[earthwitch]

Always best to check first. If its something prescribed, make sure you confirm to your doctor your current list of meds before they add in something new. If you are buying over the counter, check with the pharmacist and tell them the list of everything else you are on.