"Would not you have a Doliprane?" "My head hurts."
This insignificant reflex, to swallow the first anti-pain medicine within our reach to the slightest headache, belly or even teeth, we have practically all. A banalization that, according to the magazine 60 million consumers (April 2018), could be more dangerous for our health than we think ...
Paracetamol with moderation, aspirin to proscribe
Sold without a prescription , analgesics block the nerve impulses that cause our pain to reduce or eliminate them. They are divided into two categories: those based on paracetamol (Doliprane®, Dafalgan®, Efferalgan®, etc.) and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen (Advil®, Nurofen®, etc.) and 'aspirin.
According to the review, paracetamol would be the best option for pain because it has the best benefit / risk ratio. "However, paracetamol is not a candy, at 3 g per day, it is harmless.At 10 g per day, it becomes potentially fatal, " warns Professor Francois Chast of the National Academy of Pharmacy, interviewed for the purposes of the article. Preferred: Doliprane® and Dafalgan® brands.
As for ibuprofen and aspirin, the speech of 60 million consumers is less reassuring. The first would be used as second-line because of deleterious side effects on the liver and the digestive system. According to them, it would be better to turn to brands such as Antaréne®, Advil®, Nurofen® and Spedifen®, which are safer, but avoid Ibuprofen® Arrow 200mg, pointed out for "additive of concern". The second would be outright banned because of a risk-benefit ratio that the magazine qualifies as unfavorable, including risks of toxicity on the liver and kidneys, but also gastrointestinal bleeding.
Good use of painkillers in self-medication
Before each purchase, and even if these medicines are available in self-service (in some pharmacies) and without a prescription, we ask for advice from his doctor , able to inform us of any adverse effects related to an existing pathology, or to the pharmacist. It is also careful not to take other drugs based on the same active ingredient, under penalty of overdose.
If paracetamol is a lesser danger, some precautions are still necessary: it does not take more than five days in a row, and especially not combined with alcohol (do not use after a "hangover" " so " , in which case this mixture is very toxic to the liver. In the same way, we respect a dosage of 4 grams maximum per day and a delay of 4 hours between each intake for adults (up to 6 hours for children).
For ibuprofen, no more than 200 mg or 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours in adults, depending on the intensity of pain. It is important to seek medical advice if you have severe heart, liver, kidney and / or high blood pressure. In pregnant women, it is formally contraindicated from the beginning of the 6th month of pregnancy. Similarly, it is excluded in the case of a history of stomach or duodenal ulcer , gastrointestinal bleeding, allergy and / or asthma associated with taking ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs. inflammatory or aspirin.
Sources:
https://ansm.sante.fr/var/ansm_site/storage/original/application/38aaf48cd61b766d745aae36c3c75f89.pdf
https://ansm.sante.fr/var/ansm_site/storage/original/application/b69723fdab668e3ee857d2b4e4805382.pdf
