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Experts advise against using over-the-counter pain relievers before the coronavirus vaccine, as they can interfere with an ideal response.
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After the vaccine, avoid taking painkillers to deal with the side effects, unless you have discussed the matter with your doctor.
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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.
“There is some concern that taking Tylenol or NSAIDs previous Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can affect effectiveness and alter the body’s ability to produce a sufficient antibody response to the vaccine, “pharmacist Sonia Patel told me.
“There is still no definitive answer to this question and the general recommendation is to stay away before the vaccine is administered to produce a better immune response,” she added.
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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Avoid taking painkillers after the injection too, unless your symptoms really warrant it.
After the vaccine, the Disease Control and Prevention Center recommends talking to your doctor before taking a pain reliever for discomfort.
Patel, who is also a chief pharmacist and co-founder of the Capsule free prescription delivery service, said she would encourage people to take painkillers after the vaccine only if they had symptoms that justified it, such as a high fever and body aches.
If you can, however, try alternative ways to soothe a sore arm, such as covering it with a wet, cold towel and keeping it active, advises the CDC. For fever, drink plenty of fluids and wear light clothing.
Call your doctor if the pain and redness worsens after 24 hours or if other “worrying” side effects do not subside in a few days, says the CDC. Call 911 if you suspect you are having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site.
“For most people, side effects are mild to moderate and last only a day or two,” said Patel.
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.
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Originally published