Is it okay to take OTC painkillers (paracetamol and ibuprofen) every day? I've essentially been shamed for using them several times a week by former neurologists. One of the first things they always wanted to do was get me off all OTC medication to rule out medication-overuse headaches. Lo and behold, there have been years of my life where I didn't take any OTC meds and it never changed the frequency or intensity of my headaches; it just made them harder to manage. My headaches currently aren't the worst issue. It's back pain and other chronic pain that's just a bit more manageable if I do take painkillers. But I'm not sure if that's likely to negatively affect me in other ways. Not currently seeing a specialist. On the waiting list for a pain clinic