Research Log #1

Name: Amanda Higashiguchi

Date: 11 September 2017
EQ: Could the long-term use of common pain killers be dangerous for your body?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain killers, but effect the
body in very different ways
#2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects
#3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Point that this Source/Information Proves: # 1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain
killers, but effect the body in very different ways

Excerpts:

“For most mild to moderate pain, the first choice is usually an over- the counter pain reliever.”

“Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX), an enzyme that spurs the production of
hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which blocks the COX-2 that causes fevers, inflammation, and pain.”

“Acetaminophen alters prostaglandin production, but only in the central nervous system (the spinal cord and brain), where
it helps raise the pain threshold and quell fever.”

“Acetaminophen doesn’t relieve inflammation, but for the same reason, it doesn’t cause the bleeding and clotting problems
associated with NSAID use.”

Analysis:
Most of the over counter pain relievers fall into one of the two categories, which is the nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. These pain relievers could possibly have a bad outcome when mixed
with other drugs, dietary supplements, and alcohol. They are both proven to relieve pain in your body, but the way each
pill reduces pain caused symptoms are very different. There are different scenarios where one of the two categories of
pain reliever will work better than the other.
The most common NSAID’s that people tend to look for at drugs stores would be Asprin, Advil, or Motrin. All
three of these drugs form prostaglandins that block the symptoms of COX-2. COX-2 is the compound that would be
responsible for causing either the fever, inflammation, or pain. However, these certain types of prostaglandins block
COX-1 which is responsible for protecting the stomach lining, regulate blood flow to the kidneys, and prevention of blood
clotting. Therefore NSAID’s are not suggested to take after getting any type of surgery or if you’re pregnant, simply
because these drugs are blood thinners and will increase the risk of internal bleeding. If you have just sprained or broke a
bone in your body, NSAID’S are suggested because they help reduce the inflammation caused by these injuries.
The other category is acetaminophens and the most popular drug in this category would be Tylenol.
Acetaminophens increases prostaglandin production, just like NSAID’s, except only in the central nervous system.
Acetaminophens also doesn’t relieve inflammation unlike NSAID’s. You would most likely use this category of drugs
when your pain is centralized in your central nervous system, which is your head and your spine. Acetaminophens are also
suggested to use instead of NSAID’s when you aren’t experiencing any type of inflammation. You shouldn’t use this
category of drugs if you are a heavy drinker of alcohol consumption because the two don’t coincide very well.
This source supports my point to prove because it verifies that although Advil and Tylenol are both labeled as
pain relievers, the ingredients inside each drug have different effects on different parts of your body. They both reduce the
symptoms of pain differently and therefore will have different positive and negative side effects.

Work Cited:

Robb-Nicholson, Celeste. Over -the-Counter pain relievers: Play it safe . Edited by Carolyn R Schatz, Issue 10
ed., Vol. 11, Over -the-Counter pain relievers: Play it safe .

I am assuming that this is a reliable article because it was published by Harvard Health Publications, a division of Harvard
Medical School.
 Research Log #2

Name: Amanda Higashiguchi

Date: 20 September 2017
EQ: Could the long-term use of common pain killers be dangerous for your body?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain killers, but effect the
body in very different ways
#2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects
#3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

________________________________________________________________________________________________
Point that this Source/Information Proves: # 2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects

Excerpts:

“Unfortunately, some people take painkillers every day because they want to prevent discomfort and that’s a problem
because it turns occasional use into chronic use,” says Dr. Antman.

“Regular, long term use of NSAIDs has been linked to ulcers, stomach bleeding, kidney problems, high blood pressure and
increased risk of heart attack or stroke,” says Harvard Health.

“Acetaminophen is actually good for the heart but it can lead to an ulcer, cause bleeding in the digestive system, and high
doses can damage your liver,” states Harvard.

“They think that if it doesn’t’ require a prescription, its safe. But there are some long- term health risks,” says Dr. Edgar
Ross.

Analysis:

The public is not aware that these common pain medications that we at least take once a week, isn’t as safe as we
think it is. The most common NSAID is Advil, long term use of this medication can cause your blood pressure to rise and
heightens the risk of having a stroke. Other than that, you could be prone to kidney problems and stomach ulcers in the
future. A recent study was done on the people who had consumed NSAID’s over 15 to 30 days compared to the people
who hadn’t, and the results had shown that the people who did take the medication had a higher level of atrial fibrillation.
This is the act of your heart’s upper chambers shaking rapidly and sometimes uncontrollably. The least harmful NSAID
that you could take would be Naproxen, which is also known as Aleve.
The other category of common over the counter pain medication would be acetaminophen. Tylenol would be the
most popular drug in this category. Large doses of Acetaminophen can cause extreme liver damage. Drinking while taking
acetaminophen just puts your liver at twice the damage.
Out of the two, acetaminophen is recommended for pain relief because it doesn’t pose that high of a risk to your
heart as Ibuprofen (NSAIDs) does. For long term use of acetaminophen, the limit for the daily dose should be 2,000 mg or
less. You shouldn’t use NSAID’s once you exceed the age of 60 and you should use the lowest dose for the shortest time
period. Both categories do pose harmful risks if it’s used over a long period of time, however if you manage the dosage to
a minimum and lean more to the acetaminophen category, the effects would be as deadly.

Work Cited:

“Pain relief that’s safe for your heart .” Harvard Heart Letter, Vol. 24 , no. Issue 11, July 2014. Health Source ,
Consumer Edition.

I am assuming that this is a reputable article because it was published by the prestigious college, Harvard, which is
trustworthy.
 Research Log #3

Name: Amanda Higashiguchi

Date: 24 September 2017
EQ: Could the long-term use of common pain killers be dangerous for your body?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain killers, but effect the
body in very different ways
#2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects
#3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

________________________________________________________________________________________________
Point that this Source/Information Proves: # 3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

Excerpts:

“The good news is that today we can offer patients a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team and a multicomponent
nutritional protocol that will result in effective and safe relief of chronic pain,” says Carl Germano.

“We can offer patients dietary supplements that work in the same manner as drugs, but are safer and just as effective over
the long run,” says Carl Germano.

“Natural treatment can to inhibit the “bad” prostaglandins and your immune system’s inflammatory cytokines, increase
endorphins, and assist with relieving the stress and anxiety associated with chronic pain conditions,” says Germano

“The pain sufferer can also utilize chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, nutritionists, and psychologists,” says
Carl.

Analysis:

NSAIDs and Acetaminophen can lead to fatal situations if used regularly and in large doses. A lot of people turn
to medication because it’s as easy as taking a pill, but there are other ways to help manage pain without damaging your
body. The brain and the immune system create interactions that signal pain. These pain signals can be decreased through
natural ways and not through pain killers.
Our diets consist of fats, but there is a difference on what types of fat that we consume. Prostaglandins and
leukotrienes are compounds that are in fat and can either affect our bodies in a positive or a negative way. The good
prostaglandins come from unsaturated fats from fish and they are extremely valuable to our body functions. While the bad
prostaglandins come from animal fat and can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. Dietary
supplements can help outweigh the bad prostaglandins with the good ones, and overall help with constant pain.
Inflamed cytokines are what increases the underline pain and can be reduced with the consumption of omega-3
fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin D, and standardized turmeric. The bad prostaglandins are made up of COX-2 and LOX.
These components can be inhibited with the consumption of taxifolin, omega-3 fatty acids, pine-bark extract, skins of red
grapes, and caffic acid phenethyl ester. All these ingredients can be found in certain natural supplements that are in drug
stores.
However, there is no one nutrient that can cure pain. Other than nutrients and supplements, there are doctors and
practices that specialize in natural pain management. Such as acupuncture, which involves small needles that target
pressure points that are causing the pan. There are also massage therapists, that can help relieve the stress and anxiety that
the pain may be causing you, which is making your condition worse. Lastly, there are psychologists that can help
strengthen the ability to psychologically decrease your physical pain.

Work Cited:

Germano, Carl . Nature's Pain Killers . Aug2004, Issue 262, p58-60. 3p. 8, Color Photographs, Nature's Pain
Killers .
I am assuming that this is a reputable article because it was written by a Clinical Nutritionist and the Chief Science Of
Research.
 Research Log #4

Name: Amanda Higashiguchi

Date: 28 September 2017
EQ: Could the long-term use of common pain killers be dangerous for your body?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain killers, but effect the
body in very different ways
#2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects
#3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

________________________________________________________________________________________________
Point that this Source/Information Proves: # 3: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects.

Excerpts:

“Obviously, over the counter medications are safe enough that it has been deemed that a doctor’s prescription is no longer
necessary for their use. However, that does not mean they are risk- free,” says Glaser.

“One of the most well-known risks of painkillers is liver damage from acetaminophen,” says Doctor Glaser.

“NSAID’s doesn’t pose a great risk to liver function as acetaminophen. However, there is a huge risk to your stomach from
NSAID’s,” says Glaser.

Analysis:

The most commonly used over-the-counter medications would be Ibuprofen, which is Advil, and acetaminophen,
which is Tylenol. These over the counter drugs seem to be safe because you don’t need a doctor to prescribe it, but there
are underlying side effects that not everyone is aware of. They are usually safe when proper dosage is applied and strong
consequences when abused. However, there seems to still be health issues even when used properly.
Acetaminophen is known to be the most responsible for liver damage. Liver damage can be present when 4,000
milligrams is exceeded in a day. Liver toxicity can also happen with lower doses of acetaminophen if you are a frequent
drinker of alcohol and if you already have a pre-liver disease, also known as Hepatitis C. This is the most common risk
when consuming Tylenol.
NSAID’s poses twice the risks that Acetaminophen does. NSAID’s also known as Ibuprofen, could damage the
stomach lining and can lead to blood loss from the affected area or even stomach ulcers. This medication helps to
eliminate pain by effecting the prostaglandin pathways, but these effects are what increases the probability of you
developing extreme stomach problems. Other than stomach problems, NSAID’s also poses a risk to your kidney
functioning ability. This usually is more common in people who use NSAID’s and have diabetes and high blood pressure.
They also can affect pregnancy, while using it in the first 20 weeks of gestation. It could result in a miscarriage or
physical and mental damage to the baby. Lastly, they are blood thinners and can result in obsessive internal bleeding,
which puts you in great risk. Both categories have detrimental risks, however NSAID’s pose many more than
Acetaminophen.

Work Cited:

Myers, Wyatt . “Everydayhealth Reviews – A Top Online Source for Health, Fitness and Nutrition Education.” Edited by
Lindsey Marcellin, RxStars, 16 Aug. 2017, www.rxstars.net/everydayhealth-reviews-a-top-online-source-for
-health-fitness-and-nutrition-education/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2017.

I am assuming that this is a reputable article because it was written by Everyday Health, a website that specializes in
health, fitness, and nutrition.
 Research Log #5

Name: Amanda Higashiguchi

Date: 28 September 2017
EQ: Could the long-term use of common pain killers be dangerous for your body?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain killers, but effect the
body in very different ways
#2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects
#3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

________________________________________________________________________________________________
Point that this Source/Information Proves: # 3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

Excerpts:

“Yoga therapists offer many tools for stress management, and these tools are often very powerful when working with
those with chronic pain,” says Lori Rubenstein Fazzio.

“Patients do not come to us to cure them; they come to us to feel better,” says Fazzio

“One of the biggest risk factors for developing chronic pain is a person’s coping strategy. State of mind is a stronger predictor
of chronic pain than the severity of the injury or illness. This does not mean that the pain is all in the mind, but it does mean
that the mind affects the experience of pain,” says Lori.

“Yoga therapy offers many practices that can shift the pain experience, reduce fear and stress, and shift states of mind,”
says Lori Rubenstein Fazzio.

Analysis:

Over the counter medications do pose many long-term effects. Other than medications, there are natural ways to
subside the pain; one of these ways would be yoga therapy. An increase in stress can be caused by the physical pain that
people are experiencing and yoga is just one of the ways to help manage high stress levels. When your body is
experiencing pain over a long period, that means your body has been in an immense state of stress. This could then cause
your condition to worsen and create more issues.
Yoga does not treat medical conditions; it is done to support the patients who are going through this physical pain.
It helps distract the brain from the heart of the pain. Chronic pain is described as pain that is consistent when it should not
be, and it ends up negatively affecting the individuals’ well-being. When the pain continues like this, the most frequent
response is an extreme amount of fear and stress because you’re simply just not getting better. Chronic pain is then
developed because the mind is believing it won’t get better since it has already been so long. The patients coping strategy
is flawed. This is when yoga therapy comes into play because it offers many different practices that are aimed to shift the
pain experience, reduce the amount of fear and stress, and positively affects the state of mind.
First, each patient is evaluated by their pain pattern, which is being able to identify the type of pain that the patient
is going through. Also, the patients’ “triggers” and easing factors, which is what makes the pain better or worse. It also
includes lifestyle, which is the patients water intake, their diet, sleeping habits, and the relationships they share with other
people. Secondly, the next step is physical examinations. This includes examining their physical body movements and
their breathing responses. Lastly, yoga therapists assist all their notes of the patient and come up with a beneficial yoga
plan that will help ease the patients physical pain and state of mind.

Work Cited:

Fazzio, Lori Rubenstein. “Yoga Therapy in Practice- Guidelines for Yoga Therapists Working with Clients for
Pain Management.” Yoga Therapy Today, May 2016, pp. 40–44. International Association of Yoga
Therapists , Accessed 28 Sept. 2017.
I am assuming that this is a reputable article because it was written by a faculty member in Loyola Marymount
University’s Master of Arts in Yoga studies.
 Research Log #6

Name: Amanda Higashiguchi

Date: 8 January 2017
EQ: Could the long-term use of common pain killers be dangerous for your body?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain killers, but effect the
body in very different ways
#2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects
#3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

________________________________________________________________________________________________
Point that this Source/Information Proves: # 1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain
killers, but effect the body in very different ways.

Excerpts:

“As we grow we install pain detectors in most parts of our body, these pain detectors are call nociceptors. They only fire
if something could happen or is causing damage,” says George.

“Certain chemicals can tune nociceptors, lowering the threshold for pain to the point where just touch can cause pain; this
is when over the counter painkillers come in. They block one class of these tuning chemicals called prostaglandins,” states
George Zaidan.

“All enzymes have an active site. This active site is where painkillers do their work. Acetaminophen acts like a spine from
a porcupine, it works its self into the active site then breaks off, leaving part of itself still inside the site. This causes blockage
for the chemicals pain gives off to enter the enzyme,” claims Zaidan.

“However on the other side, NSAIDs enters the active site but doesn’t break apart or change the enzyme. It stays in the
active site blocking the chemicals of pain, but not as securely or as long as Aspirin,” says George.

Analysis:

Every human being has a different threshold degree of pain. Pain can be caused by something drastic such as
getting into a car crash or minor like poking yourself ever so lightly with a sewing needle. The ideal of pain is transmitted
to our brain by pain detectors that go by the name of nociceptors. They send signals to our brain when the body is in pain,
with the intent to warn us to stop doing the current action or to let our brain know we could be in danger.

Work Cited:

George Zaidan, director. How Do Pain Relievers Work? . YouTube, TED-Ed, 26 June 2012,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mcuIc5O-DE.

I am assuming that this is a reputable video because it came from the well-known educational company of Ted.
 Research Log #7

Name: Amanda Higashiguchi

Date: 8 January 2017
EQ: Could the long-term use of common pain killers be dangerous for your body?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain killers, but effect the
body in very different ways
#2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects
#3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

________________________________________________________________________________________________
Point that this Source/Information Proves #2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects

Excerpts:

“It looks like patients [the elderly] would be safer on these opioids than on high doses of NSAIDs for long periods of
time,” says Dr. Bruce Ferrell.

“The risks from chronic use of NSAIDs are myriad. They can cause life-threatening ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding, a
side effect that occurs more frequently and with greater severity as people age,” says the American Geriatrics Society.

“In the latest version [of guidelines], acetaminophen remains the top choice for chronic pain, but it is a fairly
weak analgesic,” says Dr. Keela Herr.

“Younger people can use this class of medicine with limited risks. In older persons, it’s a different story. Physical changes
make them more sensitive,” states Dr. Keela Herr.

Analysis:

Ibuprofen or NSAIDs and high doses of acetaminophen is extremely dangerous if taken in the long-term. The
American Geriatrics Society decided to “bump” all NSAIDs, off the list of medicines for people ages 75 or older with
chronic pain. This alone proves that these over-the-counter pain killers drastically hurt our bodies in the long run, to the
point where not even elderlies should take it. These drugs work, they dissipate any type of pain so your daily routine can
go on. However, the public isn’t too open to the idea that even though you can get easy access to these drugs, they can still
be just a dangerous as an abuse of opioids.
Some NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes and also don’t interact well with drugs that are used
to prevent future heart failures. The list of detrimental effects go on and on. Not to say that by taking a couple of Advil per
month or Tylenol will cause all these alarming side effects. It is when people with chronic pain turn to over-the-counter
drugs for relief, and end up consuming four a day; that’s when it can become deadly.
The main reason why people turn to these common pain killers is because one, they are easily accessible and the
cost is low, and two, people fear opioids. Opioids are expressed to the public as extremely addictive. Countless stories on
the news show overdose to these opioids because patients just couldn’t stop themselves from feeling “good.” However,
according to many experts and research, opioids have deemed to be safer. Long term and for patients suffering from
chronic pain, opioids doesn’t affect your liver and heart nearly as much as these over the counter drugs.

Work Cited:

Rabin, Roni Caryn. “Experts Warn Against Long-Term Use of Common Pain Pills.” The New York Times, The
New York Times, 6 May 2009, newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/experts-warn-against-long-
term-use-of-common-pain-pills/.

I am assuming that this is a reputable article because it was published in the New York Times.
 Research Log #8

Name: Amanda Higashiguchi

Date: 8 January 2017
EQ: Could the long-term use of common pain killers be dangerous for your body?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain killers, but effect the
body in very different ways
#2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects
#3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

________________________________________________________________________________________________
Point that this Source/Information Proves #3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

Excerpts:

“But there’s another way- a drug free path that relieves pain and requires only that your mind and body work together to
help take back your life,” says Sean Mackey, M.D.

“When you’re in extreme pain, you don’t feel like doing anything, much less exercise. But the extent to which you can
focus on your breathing and movement is the extent to which you don’t focus on the pain,” says Any Seiler, a victim of
Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

“Guided imagery exercises can help alleviate all kinds of pain by recalibrating the mind, reminding it that peaceful qualities
that exist outside of pain are still accessible. The key is being a combination of relaxed and alert,” says Leslie Davenport.

“Moving meditation trains your mind to pay close attention to small movements. Because your attention is closely focused
on the movements, your mind becomes calmer, which helps to shift the experience of the pain,” claims Hugh Byrne.

“Autogenetic training helps you relax into the pain instead of tensing against it… its really a form of self-hypnosis. Soft
belly breathing stimulates the vagus nerve and brings about relaxation to every muscle in your body. ” states James Gordon.

Analysis:

It may seem bogus, but your mind can control every single emotion and feeling that your body goes through. If
you get your mind to believe you are not experiencing any pain, your body will follow. That is why the placebo effect
exists. For example, if someone got you to believe that you were drinking alcohol the whole night but in reality it was just
soda, you will start to act wasted. Over-the-counter drugs work to a certain extent, but the mind can do things no drug can.
Andy Seiler was hit with an excruciating virus called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. He would experience stabs of an
earache, agony of a root canal, and chronic facial neuralgia. His pain was relieved through constant breathing exercises
and walking meditation. Walking meditation lowers the sensitivity to pain by concentrating on how each body part, from
your toes to your head, feels in great detail. Sheila who suffered from fibromyalgia, was able to overcome her pain
through guided imagery. Guided imagery is when you picture a place you find personally relaxing and concentrate on
every single detail of that place; the aromas and environment. Autogenetic training gets you to speak and repeat positive
phrases while focusing on different parts of your body. Making the areas that are giving off pain, hurt less, by saying to
yourself it doesn’t. Lastly, soft belly breathing relaxes your whole body. A patient who underwent surgical biopsy got
through it with no anesthesia, just this relaxing technique. Out of these four natural pain management techniques, you
need to find the one that best fits you the most.

Work Cited:

Boufis, Christina. "Escape from Pain." Natural Health, vol. 39, no. 9, Oct. 2009, pp. 50-61. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hxh&AN=44326040&site=ehost-live.

I am assuming that this is a reputable article because a lot of M.D.s, therapists, and pain management doctors contributed
to this one article.
 Research Log #9

Name: Amanda Higashiguchi

Date: 8 January 2017
EQ: Could the long-term use of common pain killers be dangerous for your body?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain killers, but effect the
body in very different ways
#2: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen both have long term side effects
#3: There are other ways to manage pain besides taking medication

________________________________________________________________________________________________
Point that this Source/Information Proves #1: Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen based pills are the most common pain
killers, but effect the body in very different ways

Excerpts:

“Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are medications used to treat pain and fever. However, they have some differences,” states
the University of Illinois- Chicago.

“Acetaminophen is broken down and removed by the liver. Acetaminophen has a warning about liver damage it can be
fatal. Liver damage can happen if you take too much in a 24-hour period,” claims Lindsay Slowiczek.

Slowiczeck also states, “Ibuprofen on the other hand, is removed from your body by your kidneys. Taking it for a long time
can cause kidney damage and stomach bleeding.”

Analysis:

There are many types of acetaminophen, such as, Acephen and Tylenol. The list of Ibuprofen consists of Advil,
Midol, and Motrin. Ibuprofen can be used in people who are six months or older, while Acetaminophen can be used at any
age. The side effects for these two different kinds of drugs vary due to the way they are broken down by our bodies.
Acetaminophen is more centered on the liver, while Ibuprofen focuses on the stomach and kidney area. When you take a
look at the common minor side effects, Acetaminophen poses more issues. These include nausea, vomiting, headaches,
and trouble sleeping. On the other hand, when it comes to minor effects, Ibuprofen only poses nausea, trouble sleeping,
and heartburn. But, when it comes to serious side effects, Ibuprofen checks off six of the seven. Allergic reactions, liver
damage, kidney damage, heart attack or stroke, stomach bleeding, and edema. Acetaminophen only poses four of the
seven. So in conclusion, while choosing between the two types of painkillers, Acetaminophen would be the safer route to
go. But, both over-the-counter drugs do present serious problems when used for a long period of time.

Work Cited:

University of Illinois Chicago, Drug Information Group. “Ibuprofen vs. Acetaminophen: What's the
Difference?” Edited by Lindsay Slowiczek, Healthline, Healthline Media, 19 Sept. 2016,
www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/ibuprofen-vs-acetaminophen.

I am assuming that this is a reputable article because it was review by a PharmD and written by the University of Illinois-
Chicago’s drug information group.