Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Selecting nonprescription analgesics.

Gregory M Peterson1

  • 1Tasmanian School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. G.Peterson@utas.edu.au

American Journal of Therapeutics
|January 22, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Patients increasingly seek over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. For most individuals, paracetamol is a safer choice than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) due to fewer risks, especially for the elderly.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Association of nurse-patient ratios with outcomes in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis international : journal of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis·2026
Same author

Methodological evaluation of the psychometric properties of medication-related quality indicators in residential aged care homes: a systematic review.

International journal for quality in health care : journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care·2026
Same author

Epidemiology and characteristics of repeat adverse drug reactions and associated clinical outcomes in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

European geriatric medicine·2026
Same author

Hospitalisation as an Opportunity to Optimise Quality Use of Medicines in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Drugs & aging·2026
Same author

Implementing good life with OsteoArthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®) in public outpatient settings in Tasmania, Australia.

Osteoarthritis and cartilage open·2026
Same author

Angiotensin II-stimulating versus inhibiting antihypertensives and risk of dementia: a nested case-control study using Australian general practice data.

Scientific reports·2026

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Patient Safety

Background:

  • Growing patient demand for self-treatment has led to more prescription drugs becoming available over-the-counter (OTC).
  • Self-selection of analgesics poses risks if consumers lack adequate knowledge for safe use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and suitability of OTC analgesic options for self-treatment.
  • To compare the risks associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol for general OTC use.

Main Methods:

  • Review of adverse reactions, drug interactions, and contraindications for common OTC analgesics.
  • Comparative analysis of NSAIDs and paracetamol, focusing on risks in specific patient populations, particularly the elderly.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) carry significant risks, including adverse reactions, interactions, and contraindications, even at OTC doses.
  • Elderly patients with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or renal issues, or on multiple medications, face heightened risks with NSAIDs.
  • Paracetamol, despite overdose risks, presents a generally safer profile for most patients needing OTC pain relief.

    • Conclusions:

    • Paracetamol is recommended as the primary choice for OTC analgesic therapy due to its overall better safety profile compared to NSAIDs.
    • Healthcare providers should educate patients on the safe use of OTC analgesics, emphasizing risks associated with NSAIDs, especially in vulnerable populations.