Hidden Dangers of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

What to know about ‘PM’ pain relievers

Older adults should avoid the nighttime version of any pain reliever, says Hillary Lum, a geriatrician and associate professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. These medicines often contain diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that can aid sleep — thus the “PM” that’s often in the product name, indicating it should be taken at night. But they can also cause falls, confusion, blurred vision and urinary problems in older adults. What’s more, diphenhydramine has been linked in studies to increased dementia risks. If a nighttime pain reliever is being used primarily as a sleep aid, talk to your doctor about alternatives.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Also known as ibuprofen (brand names Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve)

NSAIDs are another class of pain relievers sold over the counter. They’re helpful at reducing pain caused by inflammation — like arthritis or an athletic injury — and can also aid with fevers and mild pain from headaches and muscle aches.

But NSAIDs are not recommended for everyone, and older adults are often advised to avoid them, or at least use them with caution. That’s because they can come with a list of increased risks for people age 50 and above.

Bleeding, heart problems and other hidden dangers

Use of NSAIDs can cause bleeding in the stomach or in the digestive tract, which can come on without warning signs and can be serious. People who take NSAIDs every day or regularly are at increased risk for these adverse events, according to the FDA. The risk is also higher for adults older than 65, people with a history of stomach ulcers and people who take blood thinners like warfarin or corticosteroids such as prednisone.

Adults with blood pressure problems should know that NSAIDs can raise blood pressure. And all NSAIDs, except for aspirin, can increase chances of heart attack or stroke, even after the first few weeks of use. People who have cardiovascular disease are at highest risk.

NSAIDs have also been linked to kidney injury in older adults, “which is something I really worry about, too,” Thompson says. “As we age, we really depend on [lipids in the body called] prostaglandins to keep the blood flow to our kidneys. And the way [NSAIDs] work is they inhibit those prostaglandins,” causing the blood vessels to constrict, which can result in kidney injury.

Finally, NSAIDs carry the risk of potential skin reactions, the FDA warns. Patients should be on the lookout for symptoms of skin reddening, rash or blisters.

“So you really want to leave [NSAIDs] as kind of your last choice, which is interesting, because most people go to these first. But when you’re over 50, this one needs to start moving down the list, versus something like a Tylenol,” Garling says.

What to know about aspirin

Aspirin is an NSAID, but it’s generally not recommended for pain relief in older adults because it can cause bleeding in the stomach and the brain, and the bleeding risk increases with age. Other OTC remedies are more effective at mitigating pain, both Garling and Thompson say.

Where aspirin can come in handy is as a preventive therapy for people who have cardiovascular disease or who have already had a heart attack or stroke. Regular use can reduce risks of another cardiovascular event by keeping the blood from clotting and increasing blood flow to the heart and brain. It is not recommended to prevent first-time heart problems, though it is often misused as such. According to a March 2024 report from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, sponsored by AARP, 14 percent of adults ages 50 to 80 take aspirin regularly even though they have no history of cardiovascular issues.

Always check with your health care provider before starting aspirin therapy to weigh the benefits and the risks and to make sure any OTC and prescription medications you’re taking are OK alongside aspirin — otherwise “you could be doing your body more harm than good,” the FDA says.

Topical pain relievers

Not all pain relievers come in a pill. Topical medications — gels, creams, patches and sprays — can be effective at targeting pain, especially local pain in muscles and joints. Plus, if you’re worried about side effects from pills, topical pain relievers carry less of a risk “because there’s less systemic absorption,” Thompson says.              

• Topical NSAIDs: Some OTC creams contain NSAIDs, including diclofenac sodium (brand name Voltaren), which is a popular and effective medicine for treating arthritis pain. The typical side effects of NSAIDs are less of a concern with topicals, but they still need to be considered, especially for people with a history of stomach and heart issues.

• Lidocaine and menthol: A key ingredient in other topical pain relievers is lidocaine. It provides a numbing effect that can “really help with that more acute, stabbing pain sort of feeling,” Garling says. Menthol, which has a cooling sensation, is another common active ingredient in pain-relieving creams and sprays. 

• Capsaicin: If you’re a fan of spicy foods, you may be familiar with capsaicin, since it’s the compound that gives hot peppers their kick. But it also helps block pain signals in the body and can be a safe and effective way to relieve joint and muscle pain, as well as neuropathy, or pain from nerve damage in the hands and feet, often experienced by diabetics, Garling says. Just be sure to wash your hands after you rub it on your skin — you don’t want capsaicin getting in your eyes. And don’t give up on it too soon, Garling says. “The biggest caveat to this one is that you do have to use it regularly.... Sometimes it takes up to two weeks before you notice a huge difference.”

One downside to topical pain relievers is that they often cost more than their oral counterparts, Thompson says. A 5.3-ounce tube of Voltaren, for example, is about $28, whereas a bottle containing 50 ibuprofen pills is about $5.

Talk to your doctor and pharmacist

The key takeaway to OTC pain medication is to keep your health care provider in the loop, Lum says — especially “given that there are now more and more prescription-strength medications that are over-the-counter and the package inserts are really difficult to understand.”

Her advice? Bring a list of everything you are taking, “including your supplements and your over-the-counter medication” to your provider at least once a year. Don’t forget to add any CBD (cannabidiol) use to this list, Lum says. Oils, lotions and gummies containing CBD have become prevalent, especially as an alternative pain reliever, and just like any other OTC substance, your doctor should know if you’re using it.

And remember: If you’re stumped in the medicine aisle, check in with the pharmacist for guidance. “We’re the only ones that you can walk up to in your CVS and your local drugstore and talk to within seconds,” Garling says. “And if we’re back there behind the computer, don’t be afraid to ask for us — because we actually love questions.”

Editor’s note: This story, first published June 30, 2021, has been updated to include new information.