Paging Dr. Gupta: Over-The-Counter Risks
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Medical news now. It's dangerous not to use over-the-counter pain medication as directed. That's the message from the FDA, wanting consumers to hear that message today. Sanjay Gupta has been listening. The good doctor joins us from Atlanta. Good morning.</s>DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. Yes, this is one of the most publicly active FDAs we've seen in awhile. We've heard about ephedra recently. Now they've got their sights set on over-the-counter medications. A couple of facts first. Six out of every 10 medications is an over-the-counter medication. Individually, these medications typically are not problematic at all. Taken in combination with other medications with the same active ingredients and that can be a problem. That's where the FDA has set its sights. Specifically, think of this scenario: You go to the store because you have the flu. You are wandering down the pharmacy aisles. You want to get something for your muscle aches. You want to get something for your fever, something for your headaches. The problem is, when you start taking all of these medications, you might start doubling up, if not tripling up, on something known as Acetaminophin. Again, in small doses it's not a problem. If you start taking it in high doses that can be a problem. So, you're going to expect to see a public awareness campaign about this issue, specifically reminding people that people with certain medical conditions are not candidates for every medication, and should take these medications as directed -- not too much or too long -- Bill.</s>HEMMER: Let's get a little more specific about the advice they're giving about not to combine or take certain medications at the same time. What do they say there?</s>GUPTA: Yes, they are being really specific here. And we're talking about, for example, Acetaminophin. I was just mentioning that. Acetaminophin is in about 600 over-the-counter medicines, and we have some of the examples here of these over-the-counter medications. All of these for the flu, for your headaches, for fever, things like that, all contain Acetaminophin. If you are taking these in combination, that can be a problem. Something also that people talk about as well is the anti- inflammatory medications. Those are those medications over here. These anti-inflammatory medications, which you may take for headaches, things like that, they could also, in combination, cause problems with GI bleeding, cause problems with stomach upset, things like that. So, those are the two specific examples that they talk about with regards to these medications. However, you know, there are plenty of other examples as well. Again, individually, probably not a problem, but here are two examples of medications if taken in combination that could be problematic -- Bill.</s>HEMMER: Sanjay, what about pre-existing conditions? If you're coming into this with a condition, can you worsen yourself by not following direction from the FDA?</s>GUPTA: Let's talk about real specific here again. When you talk about pre-existing conditions, there are some caveats, again, for over-the-counter medications. First with the anti-inflammatory medications, there are people who probably are not good candidates for this. People who have a history of stomach bleeding in the past. Over the age of 60 is probably not the best candidate for this medication as well. Those who are taking steroid medications, they also might be a little bit concerned. Those over 60 can take the medications, but should be a little bit more careful. Also, the Acetaminophin I was just mentioning as well, there are certain concerns for those people as well. People who have a previous history of liver disease, liver disease being the big concern here with Acetaminophin -- that, again, is the active ingredient in Tylenol. And people who are heavy drinkers as well, three or more drinks a day. If you're adding the Tylenol in, that could be a real hit to your liver -- Bill.</s>HEMMER: Quickly, Sanjay, your advice to those who may possibly make a mistake here.</s>GUPTA: Yes, you know, here's the thing. And the bottom line is that, you know, just because it's over-the-counter doesn't mean it's entirely safe. You've still got to read the instructions. You've still got to take as directed. There are good things to sort of ask your pharmacist before you take these medications. Ask them about interactions. Ask for written information about each medication. That's important. And read those labels carefully. A lot of times, again, you'll find out that these active ingredients are sort of doubling up one on the other, and that can be a problem as well -- Bill.</s>HEMMER: Always great reminders. Thank you, Sanjay. We'll talk to you later. Appreciate it.</s>GUPTA: All right. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.