Name: Analysis | Can OTC pain relievers reduce vaccine effectiveness? It might depend on when you take them.
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Analysis | Can OTC pain relievers reduce vaccine effectiveness? It might depend on when you take them.

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This article was published more than&nbsp;2 years agoCommentGift ShareThis article is free to access.Why?The Washington Post is providing this news free to all readers as a public service.Follow this story and more by “I have read conflicting views on whether taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen after a vaccine dose diminishes the immunity you get with the vaccine. I wondered if there is anything definitive about whether you can take them or how long after getting the vaccine you can take them?” —Angela in New YorkWith the disclaimer that you need to talk to your doctor before taking any kind of medication, the short answer is that it’s okay to take over-the-counter pain relievers after being vaccinated. The advice has been mixed on whether it’s fine to take them before your shot.Some people, on advice from their doctors in anticipation of a painful procedure, take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, Excedrin) before their appointment. The idea is that you can reduce the pain of the procedure and get a jump start on the post-procedure pain if you take over-the-counter medications in advance.AdvertisementBut there’s concern that taking medication in the hours leading up to your shot might interfere with the vaccine itself. The vaccine is designed to trigger your immune system to respond to the virus. Your system needs to learn what the virus looks like, and produce antibodies to attack it. Some experts have said that taking these OTC painkillers could reduce your immune system’s response — but mainly, they don’t have clear data so they recommend against taking them preemptively.For example: “We do not recommend premedication with ibuprofen or Tylenol before COVID-19 vaccines due to the lack of data on how it impacts the vaccine-induced antibody responses,” Simone Wildes, an infectious disease specialist at South Shore Medical Center in Massachusetts, .But a pre-pandemic that looked at the effect in children (with other vaccines) showed that it was not significant. The authors asked a simple question — does taking OTC painkillers before vaccination reduce the efficacy in children? Their answer was no.AdvertisementThe best guide we have found for what to expect after you get the vaccine, is . In it, the agency says, “If you have pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.”If you’re particularly concerned about pre-dosing (maybe you have chronic pain that requires a daily dose of one of these medications), you should contact your doctor for advice.This question was initially answered in our Coronavirus Updates newsletter, where all stories are free to read. More coronavirus answers:The latest: , a strategic shift that puts more of the onus on individuals, rather than on schools, businesses and other institutions, to limit viral spread.Variants: BA.5 is the most recent omicron subvariant, and it’s quickly become the dominant strain in the U.S. , and why vaccines may only offer limited protection.Vaccines: For people under 50, while the Biden administration works to roll out shots . Immunizations for became available this summer. Here’s by your prior infections and booster history.Guidance: CDC guidelines have been confusing — if you get covid, here’s . We’ve also created .Where do things stand? See the latest coronavirus numbers and . The is behind much of the recent spread.For the latest news, . CommentsGift ArticleTOP STORIESThe DownloadStay up to date on the news from Silicon Valley, and how to take back control of your data and devices.Try a different topic or to save your preferences

This article was published more than&nbsp;2 years agoCommentGift ShareThis article is free to access.Why?The Washington Post is providing this news free to all readers as a public service.Follow this story and more by “I have read conflicting views on whether taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen after a vaccine dose diminishes the immunity you get with the vaccine. I wondered if there is anything definitive about whether you can take them or how long after getting the vaccine you can take them?” —Angela in New YorkWith the disclaimer that you need to talk to your doctor before taking any kind...

Analysis | Can OTC pain relievers reduce vaccine effectiveness? It might depend on when you take them.

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