Pain Medications NSAIDs Over the Counter Painkillers AARP Ever
Pain Medications, NSAIDs, Over-the-Counter Painkillers - AARP Ever...
A: First, you need to know which of the two conditions you have. If you have , then an orthopedist can give you an epidural steroid injection in the affected area that could provide relief for several months. If you have , you may not need all the medications you are currently taking. Let’s consider the medications one at a time.
Unless you are being treated for (a rare digestive disorder), the current dosing of the (Prilosec), a (PPI), is twice what is recommended. Studies show that people over 50 years of age who take PPIs for a year or more increase their risk of bone fractures, as the drug inhibits the body’s absorption of .
If you are taking the , a , in extended-release form, there’s an additional problem: It’s designed to work in a normal stomach-acid environment (a gastric pH of about 6), and the 80 mg of the PPI you’re taking is, in all likelihood, pushing your gastric pH to at least a constant 9. That’s one of the reasons your pain may not be going away. NSAIDs also can expose older people to an unacceptably high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be fatal, and the risk goes up with the dosage and duration of treatment.
The , a nonnarcotic painkiller, is a good choice for you. You might want to consult with your doctor about supplementing each dose with a 325 mg tablet of (Tylenol) for pain relief and gradually phasing out the naproxen. Please be aware that you cannot just stop taking the naproxen; it needs to be tapered off over several weeks.
Right now the money you spend on vitamins is wasted because, with your stomach at a pH of 9 (from the omeprazole), they’re just passing through your body unabsorbed. After your medications are properly adjusted you could start back with your vitamin regimen, along with a full-strength (325 mg, enteric-coated) and 1,200 milligrams of three times a day, which should also help with your joint and arthritis pain. Above all, keep up all the exercise, which is the real path to great health.
"Ask the Pharmacist" is written by Armon B. Neel Jr., PharmD, CGP, in collaboration with journalist Bill Hogan. They are co-authors of Are Your Prescriptions Killing You?, to be published next year by Atria Books.
Also of interest:
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Are You Taking Too Many Pain Meds
An unclear diagnosis can result in being overtreated
Q: I’ve been diagnosed with stenosis or moderate to severe osteoarthritis. I have severe back pain at times, along with neck and shoulder discomfort and pain in my left knee and right ankle. My rheumatologist has me on tramadol 50 mg (one pill three times daily as needed), naproxin 500 mg (one pill twice daily) and omeprazole 40 mg (one pill twice daily). I have been on these medications for about a year and a half. Besides my vitamin regimen and low-dose aspirin, I take no other medications. I walk about three miles a day and ride a bicycle about five miles every day. The exercise does not seem to make my symptoms worse. I’m a 5'11", 220 pound 60-year-old white male. Do I seem to be overmedicated?More About Pain Meds
How many pills are you taking?A: First, you need to know which of the two conditions you have. If you have , then an orthopedist can give you an epidural steroid injection in the affected area that could provide relief for several months. If you have , you may not need all the medications you are currently taking. Let’s consider the medications one at a time.
Unless you are being treated for (a rare digestive disorder), the current dosing of the (Prilosec), a (PPI), is twice what is recommended. Studies show that people over 50 years of age who take PPIs for a year or more increase their risk of bone fractures, as the drug inhibits the body’s absorption of .
If you are taking the , a , in extended-release form, there’s an additional problem: It’s designed to work in a normal stomach-acid environment (a gastric pH of about 6), and the 80 mg of the PPI you’re taking is, in all likelihood, pushing your gastric pH to at least a constant 9. That’s one of the reasons your pain may not be going away. NSAIDs also can expose older people to an unacceptably high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be fatal, and the risk goes up with the dosage and duration of treatment.
The , a nonnarcotic painkiller, is a good choice for you. You might want to consult with your doctor about supplementing each dose with a 325 mg tablet of (Tylenol) for pain relief and gradually phasing out the naproxen. Please be aware that you cannot just stop taking the naproxen; it needs to be tapered off over several weeks.
Right now the money you spend on vitamins is wasted because, with your stomach at a pH of 9 (from the omeprazole), they’re just passing through your body unabsorbed. After your medications are properly adjusted you could start back with your vitamin regimen, along with a full-strength (325 mg, enteric-coated) and 1,200 milligrams of three times a day, which should also help with your joint and arthritis pain. Above all, keep up all the exercise, which is the real path to great health.
"Ask the Pharmacist" is written by Armon B. Neel Jr., PharmD, CGP, in collaboration with journalist Bill Hogan. They are co-authors of Are Your Prescriptions Killing You?, to be published next year by Atria Books.
Also of interest:
Ask the Pharmacist
Information contained in the Ask the Pharmacist column by Dr. Armon B. Neel Jr. is intended to help individuals and their families become more informed about medication usage and interactions, and be better health care consumers. Any advice or information provided should not be followed in lieu of a personal consultation with a trained medical professional.Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures