Is taking aspirin before the COVID-19 vaccination a reason to avoid getting your shot?

Should you take blood thinning medication (such as Aspirin) before having the AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine? It is not recommended to take over the counter medicine before receiving a vaccination for the purpose of preventing potential side effects.

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.

What pain medication can I take after the COVID-19 vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control says that you can take over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen (like Advil), aspirin, antihistamines or acetaminophen (like Tylenol), if you have side effects after getting vaccinated for Covid. As with any medication, the CDC recommends talking to your doctor first.

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.

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.

Aspirin may prevent or delay the onset of preeclampsia

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 you take pain medication before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

In light of this uncertain and conflicting evidence, many public health experts, as well as CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO), presently recommend against taking OTC painkillers before receiving a Covid-19 vaccine.

What are some medications that are safe to take with the COVID-19 vaccine?

Taking one of the following medications is not, on its own, a reason to avoid getting your COVID-19 vaccination:

• Over-the-counter medications (non-prescription)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.)

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.

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.

Can you take Tylenol or Advil after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, it's perfectly fine to take Tylenol or Advil after the COVID-19 vaccine. This is recommended by experts because it can help ease the side effects you might experience.

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.

How can I make my arm less sore after a COVID-19 vaccine?

Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed after the shot, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin (but only consider this after you get the vaccine, not before). Apply a clean, cool compress or ice pack to help reduce swelling and redness at the injection site.

Can COVID-19 vaccines increase my blood pressure?

Answered by cardiologist and cardiovascular medicine expert Daniel Anderson, MD, PhD:

So far, no data suggests that COVID-19 vaccines cause an increase in blood pressure. Remember that increased blood pressure after vaccination might not mean cause and effect.

Can you take antihistamines with the COVID-19 vaccine?

Pretreating with antihistamines is not recommended because it does not decrease the chance for anaphylaxis and may mask important signs of an allergic response to the vaccine.

Can COVID-19 cause blood clots?

Patients with severe cases of COVID-19 seem especially susceptible, as do those with other health risk factors such as cancer, obesity and a history of blood clots.

Can you get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are on antibiotics?

Yes, although you might want to wait a few days. If you're taking antibiotics for an illness and you're scheduled to get a vaccine, you can still get it.

Can blood pressure medications affect COVID-19 outcomes?

Medications to treat high blood pressure did not affect outcomes among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, found an international team led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

How long does it take for immunity to wane after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

A study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that immunity against severe COVID-19 begins to wane four months after receiving a so-called "booster" third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Can taking vitamin D prevent COVID-19?

Vitamin D is thought to have protective effects on the immune system, but it’s not yet known whether it could help prevent or treat COVID-19. New research has noted higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death in areas where people have lower levels of vitamin D in their system. But those studies show an association – not that low vitamin D makes someone more likely to get COVID-19. Research is ongoing.

Is it normal that I feel worse after second COVID-19 shot?

This is normal and expected, but it doesn't happen to everyone. Even if you feel worse after the second shot, the side effects should still resolve within a few days.

What are some of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in women?

COVID-19 vaccines can cause swelling in your lymph nodes or arm. Women who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 can develop enlarged underarm lymph nodes on the same side where they had the shot. It's more common for this to happen after boosters and additional doses.

Is it normal for the COVID-19 vaccine to cause shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain has been reported as a common side-effect after COVID-19 vaccination particularly after administration of mRNA vaccines. Although it is usually mild and self-limiting, occasionally it can become more extensive causing severe pain and marked limited range of motion.

Will a cortisone injection interfere with the COVID-19 vaccine?

Musculoskeletal corticosteroid injections are common procedures which are most often performed in an elective, outpatient setting. These can include intra-articular, bursal, tendon, and neuraxial injections. Currently there is no direct evidence of the impact of corticosteroid injections on vaccine efficacy.

Can I drink alcohol before getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

“In some circumstances, alcohol can accelerate allergic reactions,” Kaplan says. “Since we do not yet know enough about the influence of alcohol on allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines, I recommend avoiding drinking alcohol for 24 hours before and after your vaccination.”