After learning about the adverse side effects linked to prescription
painkillers Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra, patients have begun turning
to over-the-counter drugs in hopes of finding a safer option. One
alternative many seem to be opting for aspirin.
The interest in aspirin has been so high that the nation's
No. 1 online pharmacy, Drugstore.com, has seen close to a 15 percent
increase in aspirin sales -- more than would typically have been expected
in recent months (though it is too early to draw conclusions as
to exactly why that's happening).
Aspirin Hype
Aspirin is regarded as one of the oldest, most trusted painkillers
of all. In fact, it has been around for so long -- more than 100 years -- that
it never went through the stringent tests today's drugs must
go through in order to become non-prescription.
With more than 100 billion tablets of aspirin consumed worldwide
each year, aspirin is used to treat inflammation and pain associated
with:
- Headaches
- Toothaches
- Minor arthritis
- Muscle or soft tissue injuries
However, reliance on this over-the-counter drug may result in serious
health problems including gastrointestinal bleeding and stomach
irritation. And while aspirin may be fine for the occasional headache
or minor pain, doctors do not recommend it for chronic pain sufferers,
as it may potentially increase health risks.
One pharmacist (and senior editor for Harvard Health Publications)
offered a word of caution pertaining to the safety of aspirin and
other over-the-counter pain relievers: "My guess is that if
aspirin was launched in 2004, it would not be an over-the-counter
drug. People have the misunderstanding that if you can simply buy
without a prescription, that it is completely safe to use. But every
drug has side effects." Indeed they do.
USA
Today January 14, 2005
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