Overusing Painkillers? 3 Hidden Dangers You Need to Know

Dr. Dana Florentin, a family medicine specialist and a clinic director in Israel, is raising an important red flag. She says that regular use of painkillers can lead to serious and lasting health problems.

In a compelling article, Dr. Florentin outlines “7 Things That Can Happen If You Overuse Painkillers”, and the warning signs are worth paying attention to.

While most of us reach for a painkiller now and then, the real question is how often, per day, week, or year. Her focus is on two commonly used drugs: opioids and paracetamol (acetaminophen). It's imperative to know the risks of overuse or misuse, especially when taken without proper guidance.

“Opioids are a group of substances used in pain medications because of their ability to bind to receptors in the brain and nervous system,” explains Dr. Florentin.

Common opioids include morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. “High or uncontrolled doses of opioids can lead to respiratory depression and even death,” she warns.

Though generally considered a "safe" over-the-counter pain reliever, Dr. Florentin points out that taking too much paracetamol in a single day can lead to irreversible liver damage, and even death.

It becomes especially dangerous when combined with:

• Alcohol

• Blood pressure medications

• Grapefruit juice

• Herbal supplements containing St. John’s Wort (hypericum)

Following are 3 of the 7 dangers Dr. Florentin highlights:

1. Paracetamol May Increase Risk-Taking Behavior

Dr. Florentin cites a series of experiments published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, where researchers tested how paracetamol affects decision-making and risk-taking. Surprisingly, people who took paracetamol were more likely to engage in risky behavior, even in situations where caution was expected.

2. Paracetamol Can Reduce Empathy

If you think empathy is a fixed personality trait, think again. According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, taking paracetamol reduced people's ability to feel empathy for others. “Paracetamol affects two key areas in the brain,” explains Dr. Florentin:

• The insula, responsible for experiencing emotions

• The cingulate cortex, which processes sensory, motor, cognitive, and emotional information

The same study also found that paracetamol may affect memory and emotional dependency in people who use it frequently.

3. Opioids Can Lead to Chronic Pain

“How can a pain treatment actually cause chronic pain?” While this seems to be a paradox, studies have shown that long-term use of opioids can disrupt how the brain processes nerve signals, leaving pain signals active even after the original source is gone.

This typically occurs in cases where a patient takes high doses over several weeks.

Dr. Florentin's message is clear: painkillers should be used responsibly and sparingly. What begins as a helpful solution for temporary relief can lead to long-term harm, both physically and neurologically.

If you find yourself relying on pain medications regularly, it’s important to speak with your doctor- not just to manage your symptoms, but to protect your future health.