A pharmacist has warned people not to take ibuprofen or paracetamol before getting a flu jab, as the common painkillers could interfere with the vaccine or pose a health risk. Superintendent pharmacist Nasir Ali says at best the painkillers will be unnecessary, and there is a chance they could reduce the effectiveness of your jab.
Official guidance on painkillers before vaccination
The CDC in the USA states that: "It is not recommended you give pain relievers before vaccination," and adds: "The prophylactic use of antipyretics (eg, acetaminophen and ibuprofen) before or at the time of vaccination is not recommended." In the UK, the NHS says you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have mild symptoms after having the flu vaccine.
Nasir, pharmacist with SwiftDoctor, said: "Most people won’t know whether they’re going to get any side effects at all, so there’s usually no reason to take a painkiller before you need one. You also need to be careful if you’re already taking medication for a cold or flu, because some products contain paracetamol and it can be surprisingly easy to take more than you realise."
Why waiting is the better option
He added: "I wouldn't routinely take paracetamol before your flu jab just because you're worried you might feel rough afterwards. A lot of people won't need pain relief at all, so taking it beforehand could simply mean you're taking medicine you didn't need. There's another reason I'd wait."
"Some research suggests that taking medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen before or around the time of certain vaccinations could slightly affect the immune response to certain parts of the vaccine. We don't know how much difference that makes in practice, but there's usually no real benefit to taking a painkiller before you've even got symptoms."
What to do after the jab
He said the rules after a vaccine are different, adding: "If you develop a headache, a fever, general aches, or a sore arm that's bothering you, you can take something suitable for you when you need it. Paracetamol is often the simplest first choice for a temperature, headache or general aches."
"Ibuprofen can also help with pain, fever and inflammation, but that doesn't make it a better option for everyone. Some people with stomach ulcers, kidney problems or certain types of asthma may need to avoid it. So don't assume that because you can buy ibuprofen over the counter, it's automatically suitable for you. If you've got a health condition that affects what painkillers you can take, stick to the advice you've already been given or check with a pharmacist."
But he said to avoid the drugs if you are taking other cold and flu medication. Nasir said: "This is an easy mistake to make because a lot of cold and flu remedies already contain paracetamol. If you're feeling under the weather and taking one of those products, don't automatically reach for a separate packet of paracetamol if you feel achy after your vaccination."
Normal side effects and when to worry
A sore or tender arm where you had the injection is common, and some people may also get a slightly raised temperature or feel achy afterwards. These reactions are usually mild and tend to improve within a day or two, so feeling a bit uncomfortable after your vaccination isn't normally a sign that something has gone wrong.
Be more concerned if your symptoms are severe, getting worse, seem unusual or aren't settling as you'd expect. That's when you should seek medical advice rather than simply carrying on treating yourself at home. A severe allergic reaction is very rare, but difficulty breathing, significant swelling of the face or throat, collapsing, or a rapidly developing widespread allergic reaction needs immediate emergency medical attention.
Being on antibiotics doesn't automatically mean you need to cancel your flu jab. The bigger question is how unwell you actually are. If you're taking antibiotics for a minor infection, don't have a fever and otherwise feel reasonably well, you may still be able to have your vaccination as planned. If you're acutely unwell or have a significant fever, that's different. In that situation, the vaccination will usually be delayed until you've recovered. It also avoids a situation where you're trying to work out whether symptoms are coming from the illness or whether they're a reaction to the vaccine. So someone who's finishing antibiotics and feeling well again may be fine to go ahead, while someone with a high temperature who's still quite unwell would normally wait. If you're unsure, tell the pharmacist or vaccination.
