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The pharmacy network continues the “Take Your Time to Stop the Pandemic” information campaign and focuses on discussing COVID-19 vaccine fears and dispelling myths.
Drinking blood thinners is dangerous
In public space, people often recommend each other to take blood thinners (such as aspirin) prophylactically after COVID-19 vaccination, which is supposed to reduce the risk of developing venous thrombosis. However, the pharmacist says that such drugs can only be used if prescribed by a doctor. Otherwise, you risk endangering your health.
“Blood thinners should only be used when there is no other option. However, even in this case, undesirable side effects associated with bleeding are likely. Therefore, by taking blood thinning medications prophylactically, a person puts a person at risk your health.
For example, if you have an ulcer, these medications can reduce blood clotting and cause more severe bleeding in the stomach. Therefore, it is important to point out that it is a serious medicine and not a preventive measure ”, says F. Bertulis.
The development of immunity to the virus may be weakened.
The pharmacist extends that analgesics and antipyretics should not be taken before vaccination, as they can affect the body’s immunity to COVID-19.
“The vaccine is necessary to make the body react defensively to prepare for a possible COVID-19. And drinking pain relievers or fever is the opposite of what we want to achieve.
“Medications reduce inflammation and vaccines are, in a sense, a source of inflammation, so if we suppress it, it also weakens the developed COVID-19 immunity,” says F. Bertulis.
He adds that the side effects of the vaccine are a sign that the body is building a defense mechanism against the virus, so there is no need to fear it. The most common people who get vaccinated have a fever, pain or redness at the injection site, and a headache.
However, these symptoms are mild to moderate in severity and resolve within a few days. However, if the pain becomes unbearable, bothered by a strong fever, then it is possible to take paracetamol, which reduces the temperature, suppresses pain, but not inflammation, that is, it does not interfere with the formation of natural immunity.
“Generally, the package inserts for antipyretics say that the drug can be taken every 6 to 8 hours, but if the temperature is above 38.5 degrees, the booster dose can be taken after 4 hours,” says the pharmacist.
Daily medication, as usual
The pharmacist emphasizes that you should take your daily medications before and after vaccination if prescribed by your doctor, even if they are medications that affect blood clotting. However, no new drugs should be started.
“Any new drug can cause an unwanted side effect and then it would be difficult to distinguish what caused it: the COVID-19 vaccine or new drugs. Therefore, you should take a break of at least a few days after vaccination and only then, if your doctor prescribes it, start taking new ones, ”says the pharmacist.
Swelling of the hand, no allergies.
F. Bertulis points out that people who visit the pharmacy often ask about swelling of the hand after vaccination. Since this is not an allergy, anti-allergy medications should be avoided and the sore or itchy area should be gently massaged.
“Massage can help the vaccine to spread more easily throughout the body and no special measures should be taken. If the pain in the hand is severe, it is often recommended not to wet the puncture site for a few days. However, it is possible to wash, and the most important thing is not to rub, rub or irritate the area.
And drugs should be used only in cases where the pain covers an area larger than from one joint to another and only in consultation with a doctor, ”says F. Bertulis.
According to the pharmacist, the fear of possible side effects is increased by unfounded rumors distributed on social networks and articles with scandalous headlines published on popular news portals.
Therefore, it is very important to critically evaluate the information here and look for verified information on the pages of the Ministry of Health and the State Agency for Drug Control.
