As I have said often and with emphasis over many years, “All drugs have side effects!”

As an introduction to this section on Alternative Pain Management, I am including parts of an “FDA Drug Safety Communication” issued on July 9, 2015. If you wish to read the entire communication (with pages of additional information for patients and consumers and even more information for Health Care Professionals along with a comprehensive Data Summary) I am providing the link to the FDA announcement itself on the U.S Food & Drug Administration’s web page.
This statement certainly is true of the drugs used for pain management, as is illustrated by these statements taken from the FDA website itself. The use of herbs, essential oils, and Blessed Water or Homeopathic remedies is an effective and safe way to manage pain.

The double-indented paragraphs below are taken directly from the FDA web page. Bold italics, in order to emphasize specific points are my addition.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is strengthening an existing label warning that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. Based on our comprehensive review of new safety information, we are requiring updates to the drug labels of all prescription NSAIDs.

Patients taking NSAIDs should seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, weakness in one part or side of their body, or slurred speech.

NSAIDs are widely used to treat pain and fever from many different long- and short-term medical conditions such as arthritis, menstrual cramps, headaches, colds, and the flu. NSAIDs are available by prescription and OTC. Examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and celecoxib (see Table 1 for a list of NSAIDs).

(Table 1 also informs us that “There are many over-the-counter (OTC) products that contain this medicine” referring to NSAIDs that are easily available without a doctor’s prescription but are just as dangerous.)

The risk of heart attack and stroke with NSAIDs, either of which can lead to death, was first described in 2005 in the Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions sections of the prescription drug labels. Since then, we have reviewed a variety of new safety information on prescription and OTC NSAIDs, including observational studies, a large combined analysis of clinical trials, and other scientific publications.

Based on our review and the advisory committees’ recommendations, the prescription NSAID labels will be revised to reflect the following information:

• • The risk of heart attack or stroke can occur as early as the first weeks of using an NSAID. The risk may increase with longer use of the NSAID. The risk appears greater at higher doses.
  • NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients with or without heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. A large number of studies support this finding, with varying estimates of how much the risk is increased, depending on the drugs and the doses studied
  • In general, patients with heart disease or risk factors for it have a greater likelihood of heart attack or stroke following NSAID use than patients without these risk factors because they have a higher risk at baseline.
  • Patients treated with NSAIDs following a first heart attack were more likely to die in the first year after the heart attack compared to patients who were not treated with NSAIDs after their first heart attack.
  • There is an increased risk of heart failure with NSAID use.

We will request similar updates to the existing heart attack and stroke risk information in the Drug Facts labels of OTC non-aspirin NSAIDs.

Patients and health care professionals should remain alert for heart-related side effects the entire time that NSAIDs are being taken.

Additional information for Patients and Consumers

Non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke, either of which can lead to death. There are a large number of studies that support this finding, with varying estimates of how much the risk is increased, depending on the drugs and the doses studied. These serious side effects can occur as early as the first weeks of using an NSAID and the risk may increase the longer you are taking an NSAID.
The risk appears greater at higher doses; use the lowest effective amount for the shortest possible time.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms such as:

• • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Sudden weakness or numbness in one part or side of the body
  • Sudden slurred speech
  • Many medicines contain NSAIDs, including those used for colds, flu, and sleep, so it is important to read the labels and avoid taking multiple medicines that contain NSAIDs.
  • Patients who take low-dose aspirin for protection against heart attack and stroke should know that some NSAIDs, including those in over-the-counter (OTC) products such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can interfere with that protective effect.
  • Read the patient Medication Guide you receive with your NSAID prescription. It explains the risks associated with the use of the medicine. You may access Medication Guides by clicking on this link.
  • Read the Drug Facts label before taking an OTC NSAID. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about NSAIDs or which medicines contain them.

See the full list of topics.