Can you take a painkiller shortly before or after a vaccination?

It is generally safe to take a pain reliever shortly before or after a vaccination, but there are some considerations and recommendations.

Routinely taking painkillers before a vaccination is not recommended. This is because some studies indicate that the preventive use of painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol may slightly reduce the immune response to the vaccine. It is better to wait and see if you experience any side effects before taking a pain reliever.

If you experience side effects after the vaccination, such as pain at the injection site, fever, headache or muscle aches, it is fine to take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the symptoms. This does not significantly affect the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Paracetamol is a safe choice for pain relief and fever reduction after vaccination. Ibuprofen can also be used, although some doctors prefer acetaminophen because it is less likely to cause stomach upset and other side effects.

In short, it is safe to take painkillers after vaccination if necessary for symptom relief, but it is better not to take them preventatively without symptoms.

Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)61208-3/abstract

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2021-09-29 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024