How to Choose Over-the-Counter Pain Medicine
Most are safe and effective when taken properly
Most are safe and effective when taken properly
Choosing the right over-the-counter pain medicine can be confusing. There are many options at your local drug store. How do you pick the best one? The right choice often depends on the type of pain and your health.
Most over-the-counter pain medicines work well to reduce pain when used for a short time and as directed. However, you should still be careful.
“With any of these pain relievers, always read the labels and discuss any questions about dosage, safety, or prescription interactions with your doctor,” says David Miller, MD, a family medicine physician at Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo.
Contact your physician if your pain reliever isn’t working for you. They can check for any underlying condition that might be causing your symptoms.
What is OTC pain medicine?
Over-the-counter, or OTC pain medicine is medicine you can buy without a prescription. They come in the form of pills, liquids and creams. These medicines can help with different types of acute pain.
Acute pain is pain that has lasted for less than a month and has a known cause, such as an injury, trauma, surgery or infection.
Chronic pain, which is pain lasting three months or more, can also be managed with OTC pain medicines.
Types of OTC pain medicine
The two main types of OTC pain medicine are acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They work differently on the body.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) helps block pain messages in the brain. NSAIDs, (aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen) work by reducing the level of chemicals involved in inflammation.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is a used to relieve mild to moderate pain. It can help with headaches, muscle aches and fevers. It works well when inflammation is not a significant factor.
“Acetaminophen is often the OTC pain reliever I recommend first for minor ailments,” Dr. Miller says. “It is very safe when taken appropriately and is less likely to cause stomach irritation than an NSAID. Pregnant women can take it, as well as the very young, including infants and children with fever.”
As with any medicine, follow the instructions and stay within the daily limit. Be careful not to take too much without knowing it. Acetaminophen is in many cough and cold products, like NyQuil and TheraFlu. Taking too much acetaminophen can harm your liver.
Aspirin
Aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin) is one of the oldest pain relievers. It is also used to help prevent blood clots.
This anti-inflammatory is not for everyone and should be taken as directed. Aspirin can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and heartburn. Doctors now recommend other pain relievers that work better.
Aspirin should not be given to children and teens as it can raise the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain.
“Adolescents and children should never be given aspirin for flu-like symptoms, chickenpox and other viral illnesses due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome,” says Dr. Miller.
Aspirin has specific benefits for people with heart disease or who are at risk. It is often used to help prevent and manage heart disease and stroke.
Aspirin works by preventing platelets in the blood from sticking together and forming clots. This helps reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes caused by clogged arteries.
Other NSAIDs are not recommended for people with heart disease, high blood pressure or other risk factors.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is an anti-inflammatory that can help treat pain, inflammation and fever. It may work better for certain symptoms or conditions.
“I often recommend ibuprofen for menstrual cramps and sore muscles,” explains Dr. Miller. “Ibuprofen is less of a stomach irritant than aspirin and has less of a blood-thinning effect if you have any conditions where loss of platelets would be a concern.”
“However, it’s important to note there have been some concerns that ibuprofen can contribute to kidney damage if not used correctly,” he says.
Naproxen
Naproxen (Aleve) is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory pain reliever available without a prescription. It is especially effective for sprains, sunburns and arthritis.
Naproxen usually lasts longer than other over-the-counter pain relievers. It can last eight to twelve hours, while others last four to eight hours. This means you can take fewer tablets each day.
Naproxen is not recommended for people over 65. Older adults are more likely to have side effects, such as ulcers and bleeding.
Reading labels and following instructions
Over-the-counter pain relievers can interact with prescription drugs and can cause unexpected side effects. Always consider other medicines you are taking. Read labels closely to avoid problems.
Daily dose limits and long-term use
Always use the lowest effective dose to help lower the risk of side effects. For example, taking too much acetaminophen can harm your liver.
Using NSAIDs for a long time requires careful management. Long-term use can increase the risk of heart or kidney issues. Regular checkups with your doctor can help manage these risks.
When to seek medical advice
If OTC medications do not help or your symptoms worsen, talk to your doctor. There may be an underlying health issue.
Also, get medical help if you have unexpected side effects like swelling, allergies or dizziness.