Pain medications are usually sold as over the counter medications which mean that you will not need to present a prescription in order to buy them. The distribution and use of these medications are regulated by the Food and Drug Authority. Make it a habit to read the label or the drug literature before purchasing pain medications, given that you are deciding on your own without the help of a physician.

The most important thing to read is the information about the drug. Find out about the active ingredient, which is the component that has an effect in relieving pain. Some medications have more than one active ingredient. Be particular with the dosage of the medication. It is important to be aware of this to prevent drug overdose. The most popular pain medications contain aspirin, naproxen sodium, mefenamic acid or acetaminophen. The effect usually varies among people. Another information to read about is the use of the medication. There are medications which can relieve pain and at the same time relieve fever or colds. Contraindications must also be taken into consideration when buying medications. You may have pre-existing medical conditions that may worsen or be aggravated upon the intake of the medication.

Directions are also available on the labels of these medications. It includes the dosage and the amount of drug you can take, the frequency or up to how many times are you going to take the medication per day and the time between the next intake of the medication. It is important to follow these to avoid taking in too much of the medication which can be potentially dangerous as well.

There is a variety of forms to choose from. There are medications that come as tablets, capsules and suspensions. Pick the one which you are comfortable with and whichever is convenient for you to carry and use.

Nowadays, there are other features that you can read about in the labels. Medications are prepared in various ways. Some are prepared in such a way that the effect is rapid and others are prepared in such a way that the effect is gradual. Here are some terms that you might encounter when buying pain medications.

Enteric coated medications are dissolves in the intestines and not in the stomach. This is to reduce side effects for those who encounter stomach upset when taking the medication. Buffered medications are prepared with antacids to prevent the stomach from going through discomfort brought by acids. Sustained-release medications are those that may take time to disintegrate for a gradual yet extended effect. This will allow your body to have a maintained level of pain reliever. Never crush the medications unless instructed otherwise because crushing can defeat the purpose of some medications.

The information supplied on the drug label should be enough for you to be bale to decide which medication to take. There are pharmacists who are ready to help and answer your questions if you still have one. Pain relievers should not be taken regularly. When the pain that you feel is persistent and other symptoms show up, seek the help of your physician.

Author Bio: Brent McNutt enjoys writing for Uniformhaven.com which sells baby phat scrubs and baby phat lab coats as well as a host of additional products.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: pain medication,getting rid of pain