Good Lifestyle

If you use frequentlyover -the -counter drugs (OTC), you are among themore than 260 million Americans which report them regularly. According to the Times pharmacy, 9 out of 10 Americans are counting on these basic household products to help treat various conditions, including ailments and pain, fever, symptoms of cold and allergies. While over -the -counter medicines can be a lifeline and help you get up after a cold or flu has erased you, taking too much of these drugs can be dangerous for your health.

"Over -the -counter drugs are generally safe, but problems may arise if someone takes them in prescription medication," saidLaura Purdy, Md, mba, afamily doctor certified by the board of directors in Fort Benning, in Georgia. Read more to find out which popular drugs you could take too much and what you should do instead.

Read this then:5 things you need to withdraw from your pharmacy cabinet now, pharmacists say.

It is unlikely that you will find someone who did not take acetaminophen at some point in his life. Acetaminophen is theactive ingredient in tylenol And one of the most commonly used pain drugs in North America. This medication offers a myriad of advantages, such as reducing fevers and relief of the pain of teeth, headache, arthritis, etc.

While tylenol is great when you need it, adults should not takemore than 3,000 milligrams Acetaminophen in a single day (this amount is even less if you are over 65 years old). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) say that more than 7,000 milligrams or more can have serious health consequences and lead to overdose. In addition, high doses of acetaminophen candamage the liver And even cause a liver or death transplant.

It is common to assume that you do not have to worry about an overdose if a product is sold without a prescription. Unfortunately, it is not the case. "Even with a panel of drugs or supplements at the rear of the box, consumers often do not know that a single ingredient is duplicated on several products," saidBrandi Cole, Pharmd, pharmacist and nutritionist atPersona nutrition. "These duplications can quickly be added to a higher daily dose that a consumer can have planned, resulting in annoying side effects and rare cases of toxicity."

Read this then:This popular OTC medication can easily cause "serious damage", warns the doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) warned against the recommended dose of Diphenhydramine of widely used over-the-counter allergies (the active ingredient of Benadryl). Too much diphenhydramine can lead toSerious health consequences As heart problems, convulsions, coma and death. According to the NIH, diphenhydramine is an antihistamine usedrelieve the symptoms of allergies, including rashes, itching, aqueous eyes, irritated sinuses, cough, flowing nose and sneezing. People also use diphenhydramine to prevent and treat the symptoms of transport evil.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"Diphenhydramine appears in several over -the -counter products not labeled for the use of allergies, including aid with temporary sleep and almost everything in the alley of the cold and the flu marked by PM," explains Cole. "[Since] it appears in unexpected places, it is possible to take too much, even when you follow the directives on each of your drugs."

If you regularly exceed the recommended dose of 200 to 300 milligrams per day, you can meetUndesirable side effects, reportsDaily health. These include severe sleepiness, vomiting, confusion, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, rapid heart rate, hallucinations and convulsions. "To be safe, always check the active ingredients when choosing a new product or ask your pharmacist to use a specific combination," recommends Cole.

Americans are not foreign to caffeine. In reality,85% of the American population drinks at least one caffeinated drink per day. But did you know that caffeine is in manyOver -the -counter headache drugs And weight loss supplements? So, if you enjoy a few cups of Java in the morning but regularly take headaches such as Excedin, Anacin or Midol, you could be well above the daily contribution recommended by caffeine of caffeine400 milligrams per day.

"Each person reacts differently to caffeine, but in general, moderation is a good idea," advises Cole. "People sensitive to its effects could feel nervousness, nervousness or irritability - even with marginally increased intake. In very high doses, it can cause severe anxiety, changes in heart rate or dehydration . "

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Iron is an essential nutrient, which means that we must get it by food or supplements. Since iron plays an essential role in the production of red blood cells, it is commonly found in multivitamins and supplements that promote blood and heart health. The amount of iron we need daily varies depending onAge and sex. However, if you eat a lot of foods rich in iron and takeIron container supplements, you could be at risk of iron toxicity.

"Consuming more than the recommended amount of iron can cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects, such as abdominal pain and constipation. The frequent use of large doses could even damage the stomach mucosa," warns Cole. "These harmful effects are the most common when they take up to 45 milligrams per day from diet and supplement sources." Before starting an iron supplement, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist, especially if you eat iron -rich foods like red meat, lenses or dark green vegetables.

Best Life offers the most recent information from high -level experts, new research and health agencies, but our content is not supposed to replace professional advice. Regarding the medication you take or any other health issue you have, always consult your health care provider directly.