Are “over-the-counter” medicines safe? It’s an interesting question—if you are anything like me, you probably were taught from a very early age to run to the cabinet for Tylenol. Whether it be for a headache, growing pains, or even that feeling of “blah” you get when you can’t crawl out of bed for school in the morning, over-the-counter medications were always considered the tried and true remedy. Aleve, Advil, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Excedrin, Robitussin, Motrin… and many more have become household names for households across the country. But are they safe?

Over-the-counter medications are any medicines that you can purchase without a prescription from a medical doctor. You can find them in pharmacies, grocery stores, and even gas stations for some odd reason. Generally, when they are taken correctly they can be a great way to reduce cold/flu symptoms and lessen aches/pains. The problem lies in how they are taken:

· 39% of people have taken more than the recommended dose in hopes that the drug would work faster

· OTC meds send nearly 200,000 Americans to the hospital each year

· When misused or chronically used, OTCs can cause stomach ulcers, GI bleeding, liver/kidney damage, and reduced male fertility

September is national drug-free pain awareness month, which is why we want to share some of these misconceptions about the safety and complications that come from over-the-counter drugs. 

Chiropractic works by reducing inflammation and restoring motion to spinal segments.  It is natural, and nothing is introduced or removed from the body.  This in turn improves the health and function of the spinal cord and nerve roots, which convey vital information back and forth between the brain and the body’s tissues.) 

Replacing OTC meds with herbal supplements can be a powerful way to improve your health without the negative consequences of chronic NSAID use.  However, you can’t just stop there!  The worldwide supplement industry is worth an estimated 220 billion USD and it is largely unregulated.  The FDA has very little oversight over these companies; they regulate supplements as food, but not as a drug with an intended health effect.  This leads to a market of lousy products with incorrect dosage and toxic ingredients.  A simple glance at the nutrition label will often show chemical preservatives, artificial colors, and fillers to take up space like chalk powder and even sawdust.  Here are some of the worst of the worst fillers in today’s OTC supplements: 

Magnesium stearate – a white powder that prevents the herbal ingredient from sticking to factory machinery… but does nothing beneficial when consumed.  The US has deemed it ‘generally recognized as safe (GRAS), but long-term use has been linked to GI inflammation.  People who have consumed this compound have reported stomach aches, headaches, and itchy skin.  Some companies will pack extra stearate into their capsules to make their product seem like a better value. 

Magnesium silicate – this is talcum powder, the kind that your grandparents used!  Similar to stearate, this ingredient prevents clumping of the herb material during processing.  Ingestion has been linked to several types of cancers, including stomach and ovarian cancer.  It is thought that magnesium silicate can cross the blood-brain barrier, which would have severe implications for brain health after chronic exposure. 

Hydrogenated oils – companies want their product to last a very long time so that they can make the journey overseas and across roads to store shelves.  Trans fats extend the shelf-life of these products at the expense of the consumer.  Hydrogenated oils are clinically proven to increase the risk of coronary heart disease. 

Despite these poor practices by the supplementation industry, not all supplements are going to contain these harmful substances.  There are several reputable names in the health and wellness community that certify the dosage and safety of their product.  The Winchester Institute prides itself on carrying only the highest quality supplements from organic and ethical sources.  We have done the research so that you don’t have to!  When it comes to your health, you deserve nothing less than the best.