Drugstore shelves are filled with pain relievers. There are more than 350 different kinds! Most carry the warnings "do not take more than directed" or "do not exceed recommended dose," but not everyone heeds those warnings.

Consumer Reports says beware of overusing over-the-counter pain relievers.

"People don't realize it's risky to take more than the recommended dose or to use pain relievers for weeks at a time without consulting a doctor." said Consumer Reports' Gayle Williams

And overuse of pain relievers can lead to many health problems, according to a Consumer Reports' survey of 47-thousand subscribers.

"4%, nearly 2,000 people, suffered serious side effects including ulcers, or problems with their kidneys, heart or liver." said Williams

SO the next time you go to use a pain reliever, realize there are real risks to not following the directions.