Nine out of 10 Americans (94 percent) depend on over-the-counter pain relievers to manage their pain, according to a new survey. But many people aren’t considering important safety factors before they take them, such as age, pre-existing conditions and other medications they are taking.

The survey, conducted by the U.S. Pain Foundation with support from McNeil Consumer Healthcare, found:

• 85 percent of consumers take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever at least once a month; 53 percent take one every week or more. This number may increase as adults get older and the pain in their joints, back and or knees get weaker.
• Consumers choose OTC pain relievers based on how quickly (56 percent ) and how effectively (62 percent) they think they work, and place far less value on important safety considerations
• Virtually all consumers (97 percent) feel confident they’re choosing the right OTC pain reliever, yet nearly half (45 percent) don’t consider the prescription medicines they are currently taking
• Two in three (65 percent) don’t consider other OTC medicines they are taking
• More than half (58 percent) don’t consider their pre-existing health conditions
• And one in five (20 percent) don’t consider any of these important safety factors at all.

The mission of U.S. Pain Foundation, a non-profit organization, is to educate, connect, inform and empower those living with pain while also advocating on
behalf of consumers by helping them find resources.