Medications to help lessen symptoms of the flu
By
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By Rose Fisher Merkowitz
OSU Extension
Like last week’s article, here is some additional information from the Ohio
Department of Health that I thought was very important to share with you.
My next few news columns will be on flu and H1N1 issues. If you have
questions for the Ohio State University Extension please feel free to
contact us at 937-393-1919 or merkowitz.1@osu.edu
Have a great week!
This information was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and should not replace discussions with your health care
provider or pharmacist. Antiviral medications can sometimes help lessen influenza symptoms, but require a prescription. Most people do not need these antiviral drugs to fully recover from the flu. However, persons at higher risk for severe flu complications, or those with severe flu illness who require hospitalization, might benefit from antiviral medications. Antiviral medications are available for persons 1 year of age and older. Ask your health care provider whether you need antiviral
medication.
Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have
the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye Syndrome.
According to the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation, the cause and cure of
Reye Syndrome remain unknown. Research has established a link between Reye
Syndrome and the use of aspirin and other salicylate containing medications,
over-the-counter products, and topical use products. Visit
http://www.reyessyndrome.org/ for more information.
* Check ingredient labels on over-the-counter medications to see if they
contain aspirin. Fevers and aches can be treated with acetaminophen
(Tylenol®) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil®,
Motrin®, Nuprin®) or naproxen. Examples of these kinds of medications
include:
Generic Name Brand Name(s)
Acetaminophen Tylenol®
Ibuprofen Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®
Naproxen Aleve
Over-the-counter cold and flu medications used according to the package
instructions may help lessen some symptoms such as cough and congestion.
Importantly, these medications will not lessen how infectious a person is.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that over-the-counter
cough and cold medicines not be used to treat infants and children less than
2 years of age. Giving these products to these children can cause serious
and potentially life-threatening side effects.
The FDA knows of reports of serious side effects from over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in children 2 to 11 years of age but is still completing their review of
information about the safety of these products in children of this age.
Please consult your health care provider regarding the use of
over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for your child.
Check the ingredients on the package label to see if the medication already
contains acetaminophen or ibuprofen before taking additional doses of these
medications—don’t double dose! Patients with kidney disease, liver disease,
or stomach problems should check with their health care provider before
taking over-the-counter medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
medications or acetaminophen.
Check with your health care provider or pharmacist if you are taking other
over-the-counter or prescription medications not related to the flu.
Source:
Ohio Department of Health, Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to
ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to
clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, disability, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance
with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Ph.D.,
Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio
State University Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.[[In-content Ad]]
OSU Extension
Like last week’s article, here is some additional information from the Ohio
Department of Health that I thought was very important to share with you.
My next few news columns will be on flu and H1N1 issues. If you have
questions for the Ohio State University Extension please feel free to
contact us at 937-393-1919 or merkowitz.1@osu.edu
Have a great week!
This information was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and should not replace discussions with your health care
provider or pharmacist. Antiviral medications can sometimes help lessen influenza symptoms, but require a prescription. Most people do not need these antiviral drugs to fully recover from the flu. However, persons at higher risk for severe flu complications, or those with severe flu illness who require hospitalization, might benefit from antiviral medications. Antiviral medications are available for persons 1 year of age and older. Ask your health care provider whether you need antiviral
medication.
Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have
the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye Syndrome.
According to the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation, the cause and cure of
Reye Syndrome remain unknown. Research has established a link between Reye
Syndrome and the use of aspirin and other salicylate containing medications,
over-the-counter products, and topical use products. Visit
http://www.reyessyndrome.org/ for more information.
* Check ingredient labels on over-the-counter medications to see if they
contain aspirin. Fevers and aches can be treated with acetaminophen
(Tylenol®) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil®,
Motrin®, Nuprin®) or naproxen. Examples of these kinds of medications
include:
Generic Name Brand Name(s)
Acetaminophen Tylenol®
Ibuprofen Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®
Naproxen Aleve
Over-the-counter cold and flu medications used according to the package
instructions may help lessen some symptoms such as cough and congestion.
Importantly, these medications will not lessen how infectious a person is.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that over-the-counter
cough and cold medicines not be used to treat infants and children less than
2 years of age. Giving these products to these children can cause serious
and potentially life-threatening side effects.
The FDA knows of reports of serious side effects from over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in children 2 to 11 years of age but is still completing their review of
information about the safety of these products in children of this age.
Please consult your health care provider regarding the use of
over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for your child.
Check the ingredients on the package label to see if the medication already
contains acetaminophen or ibuprofen before taking additional doses of these
medications—don’t double dose! Patients with kidney disease, liver disease,
or stomach problems should check with their health care provider before
taking over-the-counter medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
medications or acetaminophen.
Check with your health care provider or pharmacist if you are taking other
over-the-counter or prescription medications not related to the flu.
Source:
Ohio Department of Health, Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to
ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to
clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, disability, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance
with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Ph.D.,
Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio
State University Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.[[In-content Ad]]