Whether it was to prepare for the COVID-19 vaccine or to have lasting side effects, officials provided guidance on taking various over-the-counter medications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people talk to their doctors about taking over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamines, for any pain and discomfort after getting vaccinated.
The CDC does not recommend, however, that people take these over-the-counter medications or antihistamines to prevent side effects before receiving the coronavirus vaccine.
“You can take these medications to relieve post-vaccination side effects if you have no other medical reason that prevents you from taking these medications normally,” the CDC states. “It is not recommended to take these medications before vaccination to try to prevent side effects.”
Health officials noted that it is not known how these drugs may affect the effectiveness of the vaccine. For people taking medications for underlying medical conditions, the CDC recommends continuing to take them.
The CDC recommends that you seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- If the redness or tenderness where you got the shot gets worse after 24 hours
- Whether its side effects worry you or not seems to go away after a few days
- If you get a COVID-19 vaccine and think you may have a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911.
According to Pfizer, about 3.8% of clinical trial participants experienced fatigue as a side effect and 2% had headaches. Modern says 9.7% of its participants felt tired and 4.5% had a headache.
The CDC reports the most common side effects in the arm where the shot was administered:
The most common side effects on the body include:
- Tired
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Shivers
- Fever
- Nausea
“The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Modern COVID-19 vaccine need 2 shots for maximum protection,” the CDC states. “You should get the second vaccine even if you have side effects after the first vaccine, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to get it.”
To reduce pain at the injection site, the CDC recommends applying a clean, cool, damp cloth to the surface. Health officials also recommend using or exercising the injected arm.