- Experts advise against using over-the-counter pain relievers before the coronavirus vaccine, as they can interfere with an ideal response.
- After the vaccine, avoid taking painkillers to deal with the side effects, unless you have discussed the matter with your doctor.
- Keep your immune system strong before and after the vaccine by limiting alcohol consumption, getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water.
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After receiving the coronavirus vaccine, it is common to experience mild side effects, such as pain at the injection site, muscle pain, headache. Some proactive people have tried to help prevent these discomforts by taking over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or paracetamol (sold in the U.S. as Tylenol), before your consultation.
But now experts are warning against using pre-vaccine painkillers, as it is not clear how they can interfere with the injection’s effectiveness. It is possible that they dull it by reducing the immune response that both trains the body to fight the coronavirus and causes side effects.
“We do not recommend premedication with ibuprofen or Tylenol before COVID-19 vaccines due to a lack of data on how this affects the vaccine-induced antibody responses,” Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease specialist at South Shore Medical Center and a member of the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group, he told ABC News.
If you already take a pain reliever regularly for an unrelated condition, don’t stop doing it without consulting a doctor.
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After the vaccine, the Disease Control and Prevention Center recommends talking to your doctor before taking a pain reliever for discomfort. Alternative ways to soothe sore arms include covering them with a damp, cold towel and keeping the arm active, he says. For fever, drink plenty of fluids and wear light clothing.
Call your doctor, the CDC advises, if the pain and redness worsens after 24 hours or other “worrying” side effects do not go away in a few days. Call 911 if you suspect you are having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site.
Limiting alcohol before and after the vaccine can also help it work better
The vaccine works by training your immune system to fight invaders that look like the coronavirus, so it is in your interest to receive it with a system in good shape. In other words, you want to put your best players in the game, not those on the injured list.
In addition to avoiding painkillers, which again can suppress the desired immune response, experts recommend limiting alcohol consumption before and after receiving the injection. A BBC report found that just three glasses of Prosecco were enough to decrease immune function.
Read More: What pregnant women need to know about the safety of the coronavirus vaccine
Other ways to support the immune system to protect against the coronavirus and help the vaccine do its job include drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, controlling stress and maintaining a balanced diet.
Although you cannot boost your immune system overnight, following these practices for a few weeks can make a difference, Insider said earlier.