Hi I Was Wondering Safe Over The Counter Pain Medicine

Brief Answer:
These drugs can be used with paracetamol and ibuprofen (OTC pain killers), with some minor potential interactions

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query and understand your concern.

Over the counter pain medications generally contain acetaminophen or/and an NSAID (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc).

Dream water contains GABA, melatonin, and 5-HTP which help with sleep.

Any of the above-mentioned pain killers can be used with Lexapro and dream water, but caution should be considered due to minor interactions between Lexapro and the 5-HTP ingredient in the dream water. Both of these may increase serotonin and may cause serotonin syndrome (a serious condition with high blood pressure and increased heart rate). This is very rarely the case, but it is advisable to let your doctor know you are using these drugs together (Lexapro and dream water).

Also, Lexapro and ibuprofen may increase the effect of one another, this is a minor interaction and you should be fine as long as you do not use maximal doses of any of them. Lexapro's maximum dose is 20 mg a day, so you do use half of that, making this interaction less likely in your case. I think if you continue with Lexapro 10 mg a day and ibuprofen 400 mg every 6 hours after food, you should be fine when it comes to this interaction.

The rest of the combinations are safe (including acetaminophen).

To conclude:
- over the counter pain killers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be taken with Lexapro and dream water with very minor possible interaction
- it is best to let your doctor know of the drugs you are using and be monitored of any adverse effects that may arise.
- if you would like to use other pain killers, other than acetaminophen and ibuprofen, please feel free to let me know so I can provide further medical assistance.

I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

Aleve is naproxen which is very similar to Ibuprofen so the interactions will be similar to the ones of Ibuprofen.

Excedrin, Lexapro, and Aleve may interact with one another by increasing one another's effects. So, you will need to use them not in maximum doses together. Lexapro you use is half the maximum dose while Aleve should not be taken over 1000 mg a day (if taken less is even better).

Even though Tylenol does not help you with the pain, combining it with Aleve would help you take less Aleve but achieve the same effect on pain.

Please be aware that Excedrin contains Tylenol (acetaminophen) as well, so you should not take Excedrin and Tylenol at the same time.

Furthermore, as explained above, you will need to let your doctor know you are using these medications together and you will need close monitoring of the possible adverse effects.

I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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