Whether preparing for the COVID-19 vaccine or lasting side effects, officials have provided guidance on the administration of various over-the-counter medications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend 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 vaccination.
The CDC does not, however, recommend that people take such over-the-counter or antihistamine medications to prevent side effects before receiving the coronavirus vaccine.
“You can take these medicines to relieve post-vaccination side effects if you have no other medical reasons to stop taking these medicines normally,” says the CDC. “It is not recommended that you take these medicines before vaccination to try to prevent side effects.”
Health officials said it was not known how these drugs could 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 have any of the following:
- If the redness or sensitivity in which you obtained the blow worsens after 24 hours
- If the side effects worry you or they don’t seem to go away after a few days
- If you receive a COVID-19 vaccine and you think you may have a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911.
According to Pfizer, approximately 3.8% of clinical trial participants experienced fatigue as a side effect and 2% suffered from headaches. Moderna says that 9.7% of their participants felt tired and 4.5% had headaches.
The CDC reports common side effects in the arm where the shot was given include:
Common side effects in the body include:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
“The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the COVID-19 Modern Vaccine need two photos to get the most protection,” the CDC said. “You should get the second vaccine, even if you have side effects after the first vaccine, unless a vaccine provider or doctor tells you not to get it.”
To reduce pain at the injection site, the CDC recommends applying a clean, cool, damp towel to the surface. Health officials also recommend the use or exercise of the injected arm.