Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
Published on: April 14, 2016
Effect of reading additional safety information on planned use of over-the-counter analgesics
Deborah Dillon McDonald1, Mary Grace Amendola, Elsa Interlandi
1University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-9026, USA. deborah.mcdonald@uconn.edu
Objectives:
This study was used to test the effect on planned safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics of adding information about the potential for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) interaction with antihypertensive medications, the potential for interaction of alcohol and acetaminophen, and NSAID ceiling effects to the Federal Drug Administration's (FDA's) OTC analgesics pamphlet.
Design:
A randomized posttest-only double-blind experimental design was used to test an intervention with a comparison group reading the FDA pamphlet, and treatment group reading the pamphlet with added information.
Sample:
Participants included 137 adults.
Intervention:
Participants read the treatment or the comparison pamphlet.
Results:
Both groups responded with similar planned use of OTC analgesics. The majority were likely to read the label before taking an OTC analgesic, but were unlikely to give acetaminophen to a family member using antihypertensive medication.
Conclusions:
Reading additional information about OTC analgesics resulted in no greater intention to safely use analgesics. Responses indicated reluctance to use OTC analgesics, and the potential need for increased health teaching regarding use of OTC analgesics with antihypertensive medication. Public health teaching should include the importance of treating pain and selecting the safest OTC analgesics for the clinical situation.
Related Concept Videos
Analgesia and Pain Management
Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction
Pharmacovigilance
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios