Opioids aren't America's only painkiller problem
David Kaufman
Study author David Kaufman  director of Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center   noted that ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are among "the most-used medicines in the U.S.
"[But] most NSAID use is over-the-counter "  he  added  "with users deciding what to take without involvement by health care providers."
 Kaufman  downplayed the notion that users might be popping too many NSAIDs to avoid using addictive opioid painkillers.
"My guess "  he  said  "is that while avoidance of opioids may influence prescribing decisions by doctors  it may not affect consumer behavior very much."
Instead   Kaufman  believes some consumers may simply decide to take an excessive number of pills â regardless of label instructions. But that behavior is "potentially modifiable with better education of users " he added.
 [TGT] noted that ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are among "the most-used medicines in the U.S.
"[But] most NSAID use is over-the-counter "  he  added  "with users deciding what to take without involvement by health care providers. [TGT] 
downplayed the notion that users might be popping too many NSAIDs to avoid using addictive opioid painkillers.
"My guess "  he  said  "is that while avoidance of opioids may influence prescribing decisions by doctors  it may not affect consumer behavior very much."
Instead    [TGT] believes some consumers may simply decide to take an excessive number of pills â regardless of label instructions. But that behavior is "potentially modifiable with better education of users " he added.