Can you take tylenol for stomach pain

Pain and fever can strike at any time, and it can be tempting to just pop a couple of painkillers in your mouth and carry on. However, when taken without the proper precautions, some painkillers can irritate the stomach lining and cause abdominal pain. This can be painful and can make your condition even worse.

Read on to learn how to stop stomach pain after taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other painkillers — as well as some tips on how to protect your tummy when on painkillers.

Symptoms of serious stomach issues

The symptoms of stomach problems after taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can vary from person to person. Some symptoms can be signs of something more serious like stomach bleeding or ulcers, so it important to recognise the symptoms of these serious stomach problems yourself:

• Extreme abdominal pain
• Dark or bloody bowel movements
• Passing out
• Vomiting blood or a dark substance

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult with your GP or pharmacist immediately.

How to stop stomach pain after taking painkillers

If you’re already in pain and discomfort, experiencing even more after taking pain relief medication for it can be exasperating. However, there are things you can do to stop painkillers from irritating your tummy:

Don’t take too many too often

To avoid abdominal pain when taking painkillers, you must first make sure that you follow the recommended dosage to the letter. Do not take any more than recommended, and do not double-dose. You should never take more than one NSAID at a time as they are in the same family and side effects will be more severe.

Don’t take painkillers on an empty stomach

Taking pain relief medication on an empty stomach can result in stomach ache or upset. To avoid this, try to take them with food and a glass of water for stomach pain relief.

Stop smoking or drinking excessive alcohol

Taking painkillers when smoking or drinking alcohol can increase the risk of getting a stomach ache. Try to stop smoking and drink less while on medication.

Change the time of day you take them

If you experience stomach pain after taking painkillers in the morning, try taking them in the afternoon and vice versa.

Check with your pharmacist

Some medications can cause higher risks of stomach problems when taken with NSAIDs. If you are taking other medications alongside NSAIDs, it is worth checking with your pharmacist to identify any possible risks.

Stomach-friendly painkillers

Alternatively, try using a gastro-resistant pain relief medication like Naproxen. Gastro-resistant Naproxen aims to stop the tablet breaking down in the stomach, and is, therefore, less likely to cause irritation, stomach pain and complications like ulcers. Alternatively, Vimovo contains naproxen and esomeprazole, an added ingredient to protect your stomach.

See a doctor for persistent pain

Continued and sustained abdominal pain (or any of the other warning symptoms mentioned above) could be a symptom of a bigger, more serious condition. If you continue to experience stomach pain when taking painkillers, consult with a doctor.

Taking NSAIDs for pain relief is safe, but certain treatments can result in stomach pain and discomfort if taken improperly. Simply following the steps above can go a long way towards stopping stomach pain after taking painkillers. If you are unsure or need guidance on the above, speak to our helpful Online Doctor today for confidential advice on pain relief.

Stomach aches and nausea are common ailments that everyone experiences from time to time. There are numerous possible causes for stomach ache, including gas, indigestion, stress, food allergies, food poisoning, and more. 

A variety of effective over the counter medications is available for people experiencing stomach problems and looking for quick relief. But if the pain is persistent, you should consider seeing a doctor as the condition could be indicative of a more serious underlying condition.

Here are some of the most popular OTC medications for stomach aches and how they work. 

Pepto Bismol

The active ingredient: Bismuth subsalicylate

Best for: Nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, and indigestion 

When to take it: At the onset of symptoms

How it works: Pepto bismol reduces inflammation in the gut, says Harish Gagneja, MD, board-certified gastroenterologist with Austin Gastroenterology. Additionally, it slows down how quickly fluids and electrolytes flow into the bowel, which can help reduce diarrhea and any stomach ache associated with it. 

On top of all this, Gagneja says bismuth subsalicylate has some antibacterial properties, which may help to further soothe the stomach and relieve diarrhea if a bacterial infection is contributing to the problem. 

Gas-X

The active ingredient: Simethicone

Best for: Stomach pain caused by excess gas

When to take it: At the onset of symptoms or after meals

How it works: Gagneja says Gas-X dissolves excess gas bubbles that are causing gas pains and bloating. 

"It acts in the stomach and intestines to change the surface tension of gas bubbles, enabling their breakdown and the formation of larger bubbles which break easily. In this way it is believed that gas can be eliminated more easily by belching or passing [gas]," says Gagneja. Once that gas is released, your uncomfortable symptoms will be relieved. 

Gaviscon

The active ingredients: Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate 

Best for: Heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach

When to take it: After eating

How it works: Magnesium carbonate is an antacid, meaning that it neutralizes acid in the stomach. Additionally, Gagneja says the aluminum hydroxide coats the stomach and the esophagus. This coating creates a barrier on top of any stomach contents, which can help keep acid down and prevent acid reflux. 

Tums

The active ingredient: Calcium carbonate

Best for: Heartburn, indigestion, and nausea

When to take it:  At the onset of symptoms

How it works: Stomach acid can contribute to feelings of a sore stomach and burning sensations associated with heartburn and indigestion. Calcium carbonate is alkaline, or basic, which helps it neutralize stomach acid, says Gagneja. Tums are pretty fast-acting since calcium carbonate starts to neutralize the acid on contact. 

Rolaids

The active ingredients: Calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide

Best for: Heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach

When to take it: At the onset of symptoms

How it works: Just like Tums, Rolaids contain calcium carbonate which neutralizes stomach acid, but it also has added magnesium hydroxide which is an antacid. Together, both of these ingredients combat stomach acid to relieve stomach symptoms caused by acid reflux. If you don't have any Tums or Rolaids handy, check out Insider's guide on natural remedies for acid reflux.

When to see a doctor for a stomach ache

If your symptoms are persistent and you're having ongoing abdominal pain, it's best to see your doctor rather than continuing to take these meds to rule out serious conditions.

Also, if your stomach ache is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever, Gagneja says you should seek medical attention as soon as possible instead of trying to mask the symptoms with OTC medications. These symptoms could be a sign of appendicitis, which must be treated by a doctor.

Keep in mind that OTC medications are just band-aids for relieving symptoms. They are not designed to address any serious underlying condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, ulcers, or cancer, Gagneja says. This is why it's not recommended to take these medications long-term if symptoms are persisting. 

"If people keep on taking these symptom relief over the counter meds, then those diseases can be missed," says Gagneja.

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