Most times, pain begins within a backache, a persistent neck soreness or a headache that wouldn’t go away. A simple painkiller appeared to work initially. However, when the pain becomes more intense the next day, it seemed safe to take an extra pill. One more couldn’t hurt, right?
This is how dangerous painkiller dosage begins for most people. A small increase. A second dose sooner than recommended. Not because of negligence or addiction, but merely trying to end the pain.
Painkiller drugs can make a good friend in the healing process and recovery, but also pose severe consequences in the event of improper use. Whether it is a prescription opioid or an over-the-counter medication, the difference between relief and harm could be only a few more pills. Dangerous painkiller dosages can harm the overall body system.
This article discusses the ways in which the dosages of painkillers are determined, the reasons why it is so hazardous to take more than the recommended doses, and how self-medication may lead to accidental overdosing. It will also consider red flags of overuse and why listening to the doctor is the most secure way to actual pain relief.
How Are Painkiller Dosages Decided?
The dose of painkillers that you get or purchase at a drugstore is not merely a guess. These are premised on decades of medical research, testing and safety research.
Clinical Science Sets the Rule
A painkiller undergoes numerous clinical trial stages before it is made to be used. It is through such studies that scientists are able to discover the lowest dose of the drug that can relieve pain without any harm which is referred to as the minimum effective dose.
Doctors also consider the medical history or results of people taking drugs and this assists them in setting a safe limit. It aims at the effectiveness-safety balance, wherein the drug will be effective and not dangerous.
Not All People Need the Same Dose
People respond to medicines differently. That is the reason, dosage instructions frequently rely on:
- Age
- Body weight
- Kidney or liver health
- Other medications
- Overall health condition
One dose may be safe to one individual and too much or too little to the other.
What Makes a Painkiller Dose Dangerous?
Overdosing on a painkiller may not necessarily result in quicker or better painkillation. As a matter of fact, it is capable of causing severe side effects, fraudulence of your organs or even death in serious cases.
Here’s why:
Liver and Kidney Damage:
Quite a number of over the counter analgesics, like acetaminophen (like Tylenol), can be used safely at standard doses. However, when they are overconsumed or in large dose, then they can seriously harm your liver. As a matter of fact, one of the major causes of liver failure in U.S. is acetaminophen overdose.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen may damage your kidneys, particularly when used excessively or persistently.
Trouble Breathing
Opioid pain relievers such as oxycodone, morphine or hydrocodone may slow your breathing. Overdosing may cause respiratory depression, in which you start to breathe too slowly or not at all. This is among the leading causes of overdose of opioids.
Risk of Addiction
When used improperly, the pain killers may alter your brain. With time, you can require increased amounts of the drug to experience the same relief, this is called tolerance. This may cause an addiction or dependence especially among opioid drugs.
Why Do People Take More Than They Should?
The majority of the population does not have an intention of abusing painkillers. It usually starts with well intentions, an attempt to relieve pain fast or to make it through a difficult day. Still, there are typical cases, when individuals accidentally overdose.
1. Self-Medicating Without Advice
People overuse a medication that they are taking a remnant of a previous prescription or consume medication of a family member without consulting a physician. Others think; that because a pill helped, two will do better. But self-medicating bypasses the significant process of ensuring drug, dose and timing fit your present situation.
2. Mixing Different Medications
It is easy to lose the thought that there are medicines that have similar active ingredients. As a case in point, cold and flu medications tend to include acetaminophen, so when you also take those with Tylenol, you may be doubling your dose without notice.
Using alcohol, sleeping pills or anxiety medicine alongside painkillers can also predispose one to the risk of serious side effects, such as slowed breathing or damage of organs.
3. Not Understanding the Instructions
Most individuals misinterpret instructions and overdose on pills. Others fail to understand that extended pills time should not be broken or crushed in any way.
These small errors can cause accidental overdose or health related issues.
The Slippery Slope: When Relief Becomes Risk
Suffering is an individual thing and when one is in pain, the urge to do anything to have the suffering end is tempting. There is a false notion, though, that more is best with respect to painkillers.
Why That Idea Is Wrong
It is not always that more pills will do more good. Above a threshold, more dose is not useful in reducing pain but will increase the risk of side effects.
- The body builds tolerance. When you find you need additional amount of the drug to achieve the same effect, then your body is becoming dependent.
- Rebound pain is real. In some cases, particularly when dealing with headaches or chronic pain, excessive pain reliever use may actually increase pain in the longer-term.
Warning Signs of Painkiller Misuse
Early detection of symptoms of painkiller abuse will allow preventing a severe issue before it develops. When you or someone in your acquaintance displays these behaviors, it may be time to get assistance:
- Increasing the dose beyond the prescriptions.
- Preterm medication exhaustion.
- Seeing many doctors over the same problem (doctor shopping).
- Anxious or ill between doses.
- Difficulty with sleep, moodiness or personality changes.
In case these symptoms exist, consult a physician or refer to addiction support services as early as possible.
Staying Safe: Painkillers: How to Use Them Responsibly
Medications that relieve pain become useful in their right context. The following are only a few easy tips on how to remain safe:
1. Follow the Doctor’s Orders
Always use the amount of dose prescribed by your doctor. Do not add it on your own. In case the medicine is not effective, inform your doctor. They can change the way you are treated or change things.
2. Read All Labels
Never take any medicine, over-the-counter, without first reading the label. Check for:
- Active ingredients
- Maximum daily dose
- Caution against alcohol or other drug mixture.
3. Don’t Share Medications
Do not borrow other people prescription analgesics, even though the symptoms may appear drug. A dose which will assist them may be of no use to you.
4. Store Medications Safely
Store painkillers in a place that is inaccessible by children, teenagers and pets. Keep them at a cool and dry place and in their packaging containers.
5. Get rid of Unused Pills
Do not store old medicine in the case of emergency. A lot of communities have a drug take-back program, or you can inquire your pharmacist on how to safely dispose of them.
What To Do in an Emergency
In case you think somebody has overdosed on painkillers or is overdosing:
Act Fast:
- Dial 911 or ambulance.
- In case the individual is in unconscious state, attempt to stir him or her up.
- Provide naloxone (Narcan) – a drug that will reverse opioid overdoses, as long as it is available.
- Accompany the individual and check his or her breathing until assistance comes.
- Time is critical. A couple of minutes are enough to save a life or a death.
Are There Alternatives to Painkillers?
Yes. In most cases, pain relievers are only a component of a bigger pain management program. There are some other useful alternatives which are:
- Physical therapy
- Movement programs or exercise.
- Massage or acupuncture
- Heat or cold therapy
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).
- Non-opioid therapy, such as antidepressants or anti-seizure (frequently used in nerve pain) medication.
- Ask your physician about a multimodal strategy, particularly in chronic pain. The right plan may mean that you take less medication or no medications.
Take Away
Pain killers are not the foe. They have served to save millions of people who have a surgery, injury or illness. They are however not magic pills and when used recklessly can cause serious health issue.
Remember:
- Follow medical advice.
- Never guess your dose.
- Watch for signs of misuse.
- Get assistance at the first opportunity in case you are worried.
There is a fine line between the safe and dangerous doses of painkillers. The right information and support will enable you to safely manage your pain without putting your health and life in jeopardy.
