Proper Usage of Common Medicines Like Fever Reducers and Cold Remedies During Seollal Holiday

Antipyretics, Digestive Medicines, and Other OTC Drugs
Must Be Taken According to Dosage Instructions
Infants Under 24 Months Should Take Cold Medicine After Medical Consultation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] During the Lunar New Year holiday, pharmacies and hospitals often close, leading people to purchase over-the-counter safety medicines such as antipyretics, pain relievers, and digestive aids directly from convenience stores. Although these medicines are bought in a hurry, it is important to follow the prescribed usage and dosage to ensure proper effectiveness. Here is a summary of safety information provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

According to the Ministry on the 1st, there are two types of antipyretic ingredients among over-the-counter safety medicines: 'acetaminophen' and 'ibuprofen.' Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if taken in large amounts, so it should be used according to age and weight. Ibuprofen can irritate the stomach or weaken kidney function, so extra caution is needed, especially when children vomit or have diarrhea.

Digestive aids sold as over-the-counter safety medicines contain enzymes that promote food digestion. Among these enzymes, 'pancreatin' is mainly extracted from pigs or cows, so people allergic to pork or beef should be cautious.

When applying patches for shoulder stiffness or back pain, avoid using them on eczema or wounded areas. If symptoms such as redness, swelling, or itching appear, stop using the product immediately.

If you catch a cold during the Lunar New Year holiday, resting and consuming sufficient fluids and nutrients should be prioritized. If you take medicine to relieve cold symptoms, it may cause drowsiness, so it is best to avoid long-distance driving if possible. Also, cold medicines containing acetaminophen can cause liver damage, so if you have consumed alcohol excessively during the holiday, it is better to avoid taking them.

Especially when children take cold medicine, caregivers must read the medicine’s instructions carefully and confirm the correct usage and dosage according to the child’s age and weight before use. Infants under 24 months with a cold must take cold medicine only under a doctor’s supervision.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, many people prepare a wider variety of foods than usual, which can lead to burns from hot water or oil splashes during cooking. In such cases, the first aid is to cool the affected area with running cold tap water.

For minor burns with slight redness and swelling, you can purchase ointments with soothing and anti-inflammatory effects at pharmacies. However, pregnant or potentially pregnant women should use some ointments cautiously, so it is recommended to consult a doctor or pharmacist before use and carefully check the medicine’s instructions. Ingredients to be cautious of include heparin sodium, cepharanthin extract, allantoin (complex), betamethasone, gentamicin (complex), hydrocortisone acetate, and diphenhydramine hydrochloride (complex).

For burns with blisters and oozing, there is a risk of infection, so do not burst the blisters and seek medical attention immediately. If skin infection occurs due to burns and ointments are used, apply the ointment using sterile gloves, and from the second day onward, clean the previously applied ointment with clean gauze or warm water before reapplying.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.