The American public is confused about what is popular prescription pain relievers in, a new small study. This could put people at risk of taking too many drugs or taking potentially dangerous combinations.
Only 31% of people in the study knew that Tylenol contain acetaminophen, while 75 per cent of people knew that aspirin Bayer contained and 47% of people knew that Motrin contain ibuprofen, the study said.
Nineteen percent of people in the study knew that Aleve naproxen sodium contains, and 19% of people knew that advil contains ibuprofen, according to researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg medical school.
Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of liver failure in adolescents and young adults - some accidental, some intentional, said Dr. Lee M. Sanders, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, which did not participate in the study. The big concern is that people are taking several medicines that contain acetaminophen without realizing that they all contain the ingredient, he said.
The study was published today (May 3) in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Participants'knowledge
Researchers conducted focus groups with 45 English-speaking adults in both cities to test their knowledge and their use of over-the-counter pain relievers. Forty - four per cent of the population in groups of reading equal or less than a sixth-grade level.
However, the population is low income and few educated people who are at risk of drug safety issues, said of Sanders.
The researchers found that only 41 per cent of people in the study of reading the ingredients on the labels of the drugs. They learned also that some of the ingredients are source of confusion for people, since, for example, acetaminophen is also called "Papa" on the labels of certain drugs.
Suggestions for labeling
Whereas the conclusions of the study are alarming, they are not surprising, said Sanders. Previous research by Sanders show that similar confusion among parents of young children who use drugs in liquid over-the-counter for their children.
It is not because consumers' that the tags are so confused, said Sanders.
"I think that the marketing and labelling of these products is very confused," Sanders said MyHealthNewsDaily. "I often on me called by medical colleagues (M.D.s and PhD) with questions about it."
Researchers of the study to propose having a symbol printed on the label of the drug that indicates the active ingredient, so that people can easily see what they are. They also suggest having more clear warnings on the packaging of medication for liver damage.
Pass it: Many people do not know what is in their over-the-counter analgesics.
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