AspirinWhat is aspirin?Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is used to reduce pain and/or inflammation. It can be used to treat: - mild to moderate pain
- fever
- swollen, red and tender tissues
| - rheumatoid arthritis
- rheumatic fever.
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It is also used in the prevention of heart attacks, strokes and bowel cancer.
Side effects of aspirin Some of the mild side effects that may be experienced include: - sensory problems: dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision
- fluid imbalance: sweating, fluid retention, ankle swelling, thirst
- digestive problems: abdominal discomfort or bloating, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhoea, constipation
- feeling low: drowsiness, fatigue, depression.
Aspirin overdose A high dose of aspirin can cause a person to overdose. This means that they have taken more aspirin than their body can cope with. The effects can include: - headaches
- dizziness
- confusion
- drowsiness
- thirst
- seizures
- coma
- nausea
| - vomiting
- sweating
- fever
- ringing in ears
- deafness
- rapid and shallow breathing
- respiratory failure.
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Long term effectsIf people take high doses of aspirin over a long period of time, they may experience long-term side effects. Serious long-term effects can include: - anaemia (low red blood cell count)
- easy bruising or abnormal bleeding
- peptic ulcers, inflamed stomach lining, stomach bleeding
- vomiting blood that may look like coffee grounds and bowel motions that look like black tar
- an allergic-type reaction, wheezy breathing and a tightness in the chest in adults, hives in children, or in some rare cases swelling of the face, lips, tongue or around the eyes
- reduced kidney or liver function.
Codeine What is codeine? Codeine belongs to a group of drugs known as "opioids". Other opioids include opium, heroin, morphine, pethidine, oxycodone, buprenorphine and methadone. Codeine is used to provide relief from a number of conditions including: - mild to moderate pain
- severe pain (when combined with aspirin or paracetamol)
- dry irritating cough
- diarrhoea
- cold and ‘flu (when combined with antihistamines and decongestants).
Side effects of codeine Misusing codeine increases the risk of side effects and puts a person at risk of an overdose. Some of the mild side effects that may be experienced include: - dizziness
- lethargy
- confusion, difficulty concentrating
- euphoria, restlessness
- blurred vision
- dry mouth
- limbs feeling heavy or muscles stiff
- sweating
- mild allergic rash, itching or hives
- decreased heart rate, palpitations
- stomach ache, nausea, vomiting
- difficulty urinating, even though the person feels they need to.
Codeine overdose A high dose of codeine can cause a person to overdose. This means that a person has taken more codeine than their body can cope with. The symptoms of codeine overdose include: - dizziness
- stupor or coma
- seizures
- slack muscles
- nausea
- vomiting
| - weakness
- cold clammy skin that has a bluish tinge
- dry mouth
- very slow, shallow breathing
- agitation.
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If someone has overdosed on codeine it is important that they receive emergency care immediately so they can be given an antidote.
Long-term effectsIf people take high doses of codeine over a long period of time, they may experience long-term side effects. Serious long-term effects can include: - constipation
- reduced sex drive
- menstrual problems.
More serious side effects and complications can occur, especially when codeine is taken with other drugs.
Codeine tolerance, dependence and withdrawal There is evidence that after prolonged use, codeine can become addictive. People who use codeine regularly can develop dependence and tolerance to it, which means they need to take larger amounts of codeine to get the same effect.
Dependence on codeine can be psychological, physical, or both. People who are dependent on codeine find that using the drug becomes far more important than other activities in their life. They crave the drug and find it very difficult to stop using it. People who are psychologically dependent on codeine may find they feel an urge to use it when they are in specific surroundings or socialising with friends. Physical dependence occurs when a person’s body adapts to codeine and gets used to functioning with the codeine present.
Some common withdrawal symptoms include: - goose bumps, fever, chills, sweating
- runny nose, sneezing
- abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting
- lack of appetite
- dilated pupils
- trembling, aching muscles and joints
- restlessness, irritability, nervousness
- depression.
IbuprofenWhat is ibuprofen? Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, which can be used to provide relief from a number of conditions, including: - mild to moderate pain
- severe pain (when combined with codeine)
- fever
- swollen, red and tender tissues
- rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and gout (in conjunction with physical therapy).
Side effects of ibuprofen
Misusing ibuprofen increases the risk of side effects and puts a person at risk of an overdose.
Some of the mild side effects that may be experienced include: - headache
- dizziness
- drowsiness, fatigue
- thirst, sweating
- ringing in the ears, blurred vision, eye irritation
- fluid retention, ankle swelling
- tingling or numbness in hands and feet
- mild allergic reaction
- abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhoea, constipation
- bladder irritation and pain, frequent urination
- problems sleeping.
Serious side effects and complications can include: - anaemia (low red blood cell count)
- peptic ulcers, inflamed stomach lining, or heartburn
- vomiting blood that may look like coffee grounds and bowel motions that look like black tar
- severe allergic-type reaction, or in rare cases swelling of the face
- impairment of kidney or liver function
- confusion or disorientation, mental depression, feelings of unreality, anxiety, paranoia.
Ibuprofen overdose A high dose of ibuprofen can cause a person to overdose. This means that a person has taken more ibuprofen than their body can cope with. The symptoms of ibuprofen overdose are listed in the diagram. - drowsiness
- seizures
- coma
- abdominal pain
| - nausea
- vomiting
- agitation
- confusion.
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If someone has overdosed on ibuprofen it is important they receive urgent medical attention.
Long-term effectsIf people take high doses of ibuprofen over a long period of time, they may experience long-term side effects.
Serious long-term effects can include: - kidney damage
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- increased risk of heart attack.
Paracetamol What is paracetamol? Paracetamol is used to relieve mild pain (and to reduce fever).
It can be combined with other drugs such as codeine and used for stronger pain relief. It is also combined with antihistamines and decongestants to help relieve the symptoms of colds and ’flu.
Misusing paracetamol increases the risk of serious side effects and puts a person at risk of an overdose.
Side effects from paracetamol may include: - drowsiness and fatigue
- rashes or itching.
Children may occasionally experience low blood sugar and tremors, or feel hungry, faint or confused.
Paracetamol overdose The symptoms of paracetamol overdose include: | - abdominal pain
- nausea
- vomiting.
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If someone has overdosed on paracetamol it is important that they receive emergency care immediately, so they can be given an antidote as soon as possible.
Long-term effects If people take paracetamol over a long period of time, they may experience long term side effects.
Serious long-term effects can include: - liver damage
- bluish tinge to fingers and lips
- tiredness
| - breathlessness
- anaemia (low red blood cell count).
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