Misused Over-The-Counter Drugs Pose Dangers
Consumer Group: Most People Don't Consider Side Effects
Posted: 11:20 a.m. EDT October 24, 2002
WASHINGTON -- A consumer group says too many people are endangering their health with over-the-counter medicines.
A national survey by the nonprofit National Consumers League found that more than half of respondents said they were not concerned about the possibility of suffering serious side effects from popular over-the-counter medicines, such as Advil or Aleve.
The group's president, Linda Golodner, said said about one-fifth of those surveyed didn't know that these medicines can pose serious risks, such as stomach bleeding, ulcers and kidney and liver problems. She said they mistakenly believe it's OK to take the medicine as often as they want, as long as it manages their pain.
"People mistakenly assume that if a prescription is not required for a medication that is sold in a drugstore or a supermarket, then it must be safe," Golodner said. "As a result, consumers who too often self-diagnose and self-treat without seeking a doctor's advice unwittingly put themselves at risk for potentially deadly consequences."
The survey found that only 5 percent of respondents discussed the potential risks of over-the-counter medications with their doctors, and nearly 30 percent said they don't usually read label instructions on these medications because they think they already know what to take.
According to the report, more than 16,500 people die each year and 103,000 are hospitalized from serious complications related to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Studies have shown that that the use of these over-the-counter drugs increases the risk of stomach bleeding by two to three times and that most serious side effects can occur without warning symptoms.
"Unfortunately, when consumers self-treat for pain, they don't take into account their personal risk factors and the likelihood of side effects or adverse events," said Dr. Jeffrey Curtis, a rheumatology fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "There can also be interactions with other medications -- including prescriptions -- that consumers need to be aware of."
The National Consumers League plans to launch a campaign during the next year to help inform and educate the public about safe use of pain medications.
A national survey by the nonprofit National Consumers League found that more than half of respondents said they were not concerned about the possibility of suffering serious side effects from popular over-the-counter medicines, such as Advil or Aleve.
The group's president, Linda Golodner, said said about one-fifth of those surveyed didn't know that these medicines can pose serious risks, such as stomach bleeding, ulcers and kidney and liver problems. She said they mistakenly believe it's OK to take the medicine as often as they want, as long as it manages their pain.
"People mistakenly assume that if a prescription is not required for a medication that is sold in a drugstore or a supermarket, then it must be safe," Golodner said. "As a result, consumers who too often self-diagnose and self-treat without seeking a doctor's advice unwittingly put themselves at risk for potentially deadly consequences."
The survey found that only 5 percent of respondents discussed the potential risks of over-the-counter medications with their doctors, and nearly 30 percent said they don't usually read label instructions on these medications because they think they already know what to take.
According to the report, more than 16,500 people die each year and 103,000 are hospitalized from serious complications related to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Studies have shown that that the use of these over-the-counter drugs increases the risk of stomach bleeding by two to three times and that most serious side effects can occur without warning symptoms.
"Unfortunately, when consumers self-treat for pain, they don't take into account their personal risk factors and the likelihood of side effects or adverse events," said Dr. Jeffrey Curtis, a rheumatology fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "There can also be interactions with other medications -- including prescriptions -- that consumers need to be aware of."
The National Consumers League plans to launch a campaign during the next year to help inform and educate the public about safe use of pain medications.
Copyright 2002 by Channel3000.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
