Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin: Behind pharmacists' counters in January 2020

These non-prescription drugs are widely used in self-medication as painkillers or fevers.

They may pose risks in case of misuse (e.g. serious liver damage in case of paracetamol overdose).

For this reason, ANSM also recalls the rules of proper use of these drugs.

For paracetamol:

• take the lowest dose, for the shortest possible time, follow the maximum dose per dose, the maximum daily dose, the minimum interval between doses and the maximum recommended duration of treatment (3 days in case of fever, 5 days in case of pain, in the absence of a prescription);
• check for acetaminophen in other medicines (used for pain, fever, allergies, cold symptoms or flu-like illness).

For nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:

• use at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration;
• discontinue treatment as soon as symptoms resolve;
• avoid with chickenpox;
• do not extend treatment beyond 3 days in case of fever, beyond 5 days in case of pain;
• do not take two such medicines at the same time;
• follow contraindications from the beginning of 6^e months of pregnancy.