No issue taking paracetamol before or after Covid-19 vaccination (UPDATE)

[helvella]

There has recently been discussion over taking paracetamol before having a Covid-19 vaccination.

The USA news source I found has now been updated to make it clear that they were WRONG to include paracetamol (referred to by the USA name acetaminophen and its leading brand name Tylenol).

The claim was that we should not take paracetomol before having a Covid-19 vaccine (or any other vaccination).

The update shows confusion as to whether paracetamol is an anti-inflammatory - or not. It isn't.

There might still be a question over taking ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medicines.

UPDATE

The abcnews article has had a note added - which could be important:

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct that although ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not.

acetaminophen = USA name for paracetamol

My original reply on this issue was:

The question over taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) before (or after) Covid-19 vaccination has been reported for at least several weeks:

Avoid preventive pain relievers before getting a COVID vaccine: Experts

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may dull the effectiveness of the vaccine.

ByDR. SEAN LLEWELLYN

27 January 2021, 11:01

abcnews.go.com/Health/avoid...

Today's news appears simply to be an interview in The Sun. Which, as reported, seems to reflect a downgrade from a warning to a "you might like to consider ...".

NO PAIN NO GAIN Avoid taking a paracetamol before getting the Covid vaccine, doctors warn

Vanessa Chalmers, Digital Health Reporter

18 Feb 2021, 10:04 Updated: 18 Feb 2021, 10:23

Speaking to The Sun, Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and Clinical Director of Patientaccess.com said: "There’s some theoretical evidence that painkillers might alter your body’s immune response to some other vaccines.

"But we don’t even know if in these cases that translates into less effective protection from the vaccine.

"There’s no specific evidence that taking a painkiller before your COVID-19 vaccine will affect your body’s ability to build immunity.

"So advice not to take a painkiller before your vaccine is purely precautionary.

"It may make no difference at all, and if it does, it’s certainly not likely to be major."

Dr Jarvis added: "Since you can easily take a painkiller if you do get pain, I don’t routinely recommend painkillers beforehand.

"However, if you’re worried enough about possible pain after your vaccination to be put off having it, you’re much better off taking a painkiller and having the vaccine than not having it at all."

A scientific paper in 2016 described how painkillers at the time of vaccination is "discouraged by many" including some health bodies.

thesun.co.uk/news/14079202/...

This was posted in this poll thread:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If you feel the need to discuss, please do so HERE - not on the poll thread.

[penny]

I hate that expression ‘no pain, no gain’. Pain = stop.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to penny]

Sounds like advice to find a suitable table leg and kick it with your toe. 🦶

Just think of the gains!

[TaraJR]

I have 'mild' haemophilia - Factor XI deficiency, not the more serious well known Factor XIII deficiency. The advice sent out from the haemophilia centre told e to take paracetamol at the time of vaccination, which I did. Who to believe... ?!?!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to TaraJR]

I had no idea at all that haemophilia would be affected by, or affect the taking (or not taking) of, paracetamol!

In your position, I'd believe the haemophilia centre.

[TaraJR in reply to helvella]

helvella , haemophilia folk are told to avoid intra muscular injections as they can cause internal bleeding, so only have subcutaneous ones. But the Covid one has to be into the muscle.

The haemophilia centre advice was to use an ice pack before and after, request the finest gauge needle, take paracetamol, and also take tranexamic acid (aids blood clotting) for a few days.

Yes I'm happy to take their advice which they must have discussed with vaccine experts, I would hope. Interesting times... !

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to TaraJR]

Makes sense but to people like me who have never had any involvement, my ignorance came to the fore! Thanks for explaining.

[TaraJR in reply to helvella]

Yet, my sister has the same condition and has been told by her centre in Birmingham (I'm under Addenbrooke's) that she doesn't need to take any precautions - makes you wonder doesn't it?!