What is the safest medicine to take after the COVID-19 vaccine?
Helpful Tips to Relieve Side Effects Talk to a doctor about taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin (only for people age 18 or older), or antihistamines for any pain and discomfort experienced after getting vaccinated.
What medications should be avoided before the COVID-19 vaccine?
It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine – such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen – before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects.
Where can I find more COVID-19 vaccine locations?
Text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find vaccine locations near you in the United States.
Is it safe to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen before a COVID-19 vaccine?
Because of the lack of high-quality studies on taking NSAIDs or Tylenol before getting a vaccine, the CDC and other similar health organizations recommend not taking Advil or Tylenol beforehand.
Is it safe to take aspirin while receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
Since there’s no concrete evidence one way or the other on whether OTC pain relievers make the COVID-19 vaccines less effective, it could actually be much riskier for you to stop any regular medications. Stopping a daily low-dose aspirin can raise your risk of heart problems or blood clots.
Do I need to discontinue my medications after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
For most people, it is not recommended to avoid, discontinue, or delay medications that you are routinely taking for prevention or treatment of other medical conditions around the time of COVID-19 vaccination.
How can I reduce the pain after the COVID-19 vaccine?
To reduce pain and discomfort where the shot is given
- Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area.
- Use or exercise your arm.
Should I take an antihistamine before the COVID-19 vaccine?
It is also not recommended to take antihistamines before getting a COVID-19 vaccine to try to prevent allergic reactions.
Can I take antibiotics after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
Can I take antibiotics after I get a vaccine? Yes. If you need antibiotics for a bacterial infection, you should take them. They won’t affect how well the vaccine works.
Can taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) before the COVID-19 vaccine reduce its effectiveness?
Because taking over-the-counter painkillers before getting vaccinated may reduce the responsiveness of your immune system and therefore weaken the effectiveness of the vaccine, the CDC does not recommend taking Tylenol or ibuprofen before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Can I take an antihistamine before getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
It is also not recommended to take antihistamines before getting a COVID-19 vaccine to try to prevent allergic reactions. Learn more about medications to relieve post-vaccination side effects.