After getting the Covid-19 vaccine, it is common to have mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site, muscle pain and headache.
Some have sought to prevent these discomforts preemptively, by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (sold in the United States as Tylenol), before getting a dose of the vaccine.
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But experts now warn against taking pain relievers before a vaccine, because it is unclear how they might interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine. It is possible that they weaken it by suppressing the immune response that trains the body to fight the Coronavirus and leads to side effects.
Pharmacist Sonya Patel said: “There is some concern that taking Tylenol or NSAIDs before receiving the Covid-19 vaccine could affect the efficacy and alter your body’s ability to produce an adequate antibody response to the vaccine.”
“There is still no final answer to this question, and the general recommendation is to stay away from it before taking the vaccine to produce a better immune response,” she added.
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Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever after the injection is likely to be a good thing if the symptoms warrant it
After your vaccination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends speaking to your doctor before taking pain relievers. The organization says on its website: “You can take these medicines to reduce the side effects after vaccination if you do not have other medical reasons that prevent you from taking these medicines normally.”
Patel, who is also the lead pharmacist and co-founder of the Free Prescription Delivery Service, said she encourages people to take pain relievers after vaccination if they have symptoms that warrant this, such as high fever and body aches.
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Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease specialist, said during a recent press conference that he would not hesitate to take a pain reliever to soothe a sore arm after a vaccination. “I doubt if it would have a significant effect on the efficacy of the dose,” he said, adding that there was a big difference between strong immunosuppressants and a mild over-the-counter pain reliever.
However, you can try alternative ways to relieve arm pain, such as covering it with a cold wet cloth and keeping the arm active, the CDC advises. For a fever, drink plenty of fluids and wear light clothing.
And call your doctor if the pain and redness worsens after 24 hours or if other “worrying” side effects do not subside within a few days, according to the CDC. Or, you can call 911 if you suspect you will have a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site.
“For most people, the side effects are mild to moderate and last only a day or two,” said Patel.
In addition to avoiding painkillers, which may suppress the required immune response again, experts recommend limiting alcohol before and after receiving the vaccine, as a report published by the BBC found that only three glasses of wine are sufficient to reduce immune function.
Source: Business Insider
