Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may exacerbate the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are offered to a growing number of people. Vaccine recipients usually experience minimal side effects: the most common are temporary pain and swelling at the injection site, fevers, chills, tiredness, muscle aches, and headaches.
While these side effects are usually a minor nuisance for most people, some try to prevent them by taking common over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil). However, experts said these drugs could not only turn off the pain, but could turn off the vaccine to make it work completely.
“We do not recommend premedication with ibuprofen or Tylenol prior to COVID-19 vaccines due to the lack of data on how it affects vaccine-induced antibody responses,” said Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease specialist in the South. Shore Medical Center and a member of the Massachusetts COVID-19 vaccine advisory group told ABC News.
The side effects of vaccines are caused by the activation of the immune system, i.e., the immune system works and begins to create immunity against COVID-19; this is what we want. These painkillers are anti-inflammatory drugs. They prevent parts of the immune system from functioning and slow down the immune response. There is a theory that taking these drugs before vaccination can reduce their effectiveness.
A Duke University study found that children who took painkillers before receiving childhood vaccines had fewer antibodies than those who did not take the medications, which could mean less protection. However, there were still protective levels of antibodies, despite the blunt appearance.
“You would always want an optimal response to your vaccine,” Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist and professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told ABC News. “We recommend that unless people have a substantial reaction to the first dose they have [pain killers]. “
“The vast majority of people have a slightly sore arm,” Schaffner said, “but otherwise they feel pretty good.”
While experts recommend not taking over-the-counter painkillers before getting the vaccine, they say you should continue to take them if you are already doing so for another medical condition. Schaffner warned that quitting these medications could cause unwanted problems and be more harmful than beneficial.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that after receiving the vaccine, you should monitor for side effects. Because painkillers and fever reducers are not intended for use before symptoms appear, talk to your doctor before vaccination to decide if you should take over-the-counter painkillers after receiving the vaccine.
Other more natural ways to reduce pain and discomfort are: apply a clean, cool, damp cloth over the injection site and move or exercise your arm. And to have a fever, drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly.
“If fever, chills, and headaches develop after the injection,” use painkillers to help with symptoms, but not before they develop and report any significant side effects to a medical professional, Wildes said.
Sean Llewellyn, MD, Ph.D., is a resident physician in family medicine at the University of Colorado and a contributor to the ABC News Medical Unit.