Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while using NSAIDs as follows:
- If you are taking NSAIDs on an as needed basis, do not wait for the pain to peak to have your pill. Pain medications work best when taken at the first appreciation of pain, before the pain peaks.
- Maintain strict compliance with intake of NSAIDs as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication. Noncompliance with recommendation on NSAIDs intake can result in ineffective pain control.
- Do not share your pain pills with any family and friends.
- Do not abuse NSAIDs by continuing to take the medication, even after the pain has resolved. NSAIDs carry significant risk for compromising renal function leading to renal failure.
- Try practicing alternative pain management measures, such as, deep breathing and relaxation and visual imagery, to be able to cut down on pain medication and avoid the long-term side effects of pain medications.
- Watch out for any continuing or worsening pain, to report to your doctor immediately, so that, a change in plan could be considered.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
