Q: I take Combiflam twice a day to ease pain in my gums behind my last molar in the lower jaw. Will prolonged use of Combiflam or dicloran A harm me ?

A:Combiflam is a brand name. It is a combination product that contains paracetamol and ibuprofen. Its chronic use can lead to side effects, some of them quite serious such as damage to the liver and bleeding disorders. Dicloran A is even worse on chronic usage. It contains diclofenac and paracetamol, both of which can damage the liver and kidney and cause peptic ulcers apart from bleeding disorders. These medicines are meant for short term use, say 3-5 days. You should consult a good dentist to sort out gum and/or tooth problem.