By Phoebe Chi, MD
Advil. Aleve. Tylenol. Aspirin. Four widely used over-the-counter medications. How do you know if you are taking the right one?
The purpose of this post is to familiarize you with the major pros and cons of these medications as well as to help you differentiate who should and should not take them. Even if you already have a “go-to” medication, make sure you know these essential facts, which is summarized in the table below.
Be aware that many medications are simply combinations of these (Excedrin = Tylenol + Aspirin + Caffeine), so always look at your medication label to see what you are getting.
Tip: Taking any pain medication with a caffeinated beverage will often increase its effectiveness, as caffeine helps speed up absorption as well as potentiate its analgesic effects. This is why some medications, like Excedrin and Midol, already contain caffeine (60mg…about the same as a small cup of coffee).
Therefore, without further ado…
• Naproxen (Aleve) •
In a Nutshell:
Naproxen is the most effective one on this list for pain control and menstrual cramps and is also great for fever, joint inflammation, and migraines. It is the longest-lasting, so you usually only have to take it every 12 hours. However, it is the most irritating on the stomach (nausea, general upset), so always take with food and avoid if you have ulcers. Also, those with poorly controlled high blood pressure should use caution when taking naproxen, as it can further increase your blood pressure (effect varies depending on individual).
Best for:
Those needing longer-lasting moderate pain control and have no GI issues.
How to take:
Always with food
Avoid if:
You have stomach ulcers or frequent upset stomach, and use caution if you have issues controlling your blood pressure.
•
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) •
In a Nutshell:
Ibuprofen is effective for mild to moderate pain, fever, and joint inflammation. Can also be irritating to the gastric lining and cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach (but not as harsh as naproxen), so try to take with food. Effects usually only last 4-6 hours. Like naproxen, it also carries a slight risk of increasing your blood pressure. Think of this as a slightly less potent version of naproxen.
Best for:
Those needing general mild to moderate pain control.
How to take:
With food to avoid nausea and GI upset
Avoid if:
You have congestive heart failure (CHF), or have issues with high blood pressure.
•
• Acetaminophen/Paracetamol (Tylenol) •
In a Nutshell:
Tylenol, by itself, is adequate for mild pain and fever, but is not effective for more severe pain or inflammation. It is safe to take on an empty stomach or if you have stomach issues. However, overdose and liver damage is possible so be careful how much you take in a day. It can safely be combined with any of the other medications on this list and is also the only one that is considered safe for pregnancy.
Best for:
Pain control during pregnancy, people with sensitive stomachs
How to take:
Can take on empty stomach
Avoid if:
You have liver problems, or if you are taking another medication with acetaminophen in it (eg. cold/flu/sinus medications, many prescription pain medications).
•
• Aspirin •
In A Nutshell:
Helpful for mild pain or headaches, but its benefits lie in its ability to prevent and improve heart disease. However, because it lowers your body’s ability to coagulate blood (‘thins the blood’), it is better to avoid aspirin if you are at risk for bleeding (eg. ulcers) or have frequent falls. Also, never give to children (can cause Reye’s syndrome).
Best for:
People with heart disease or have history of heart attacks
How to take:
With food if stomach upset occurs
Avoid if:
Children, or someone with high bleeding or fall risk (eg. the elderly)
•
* The information here is for education purposes only and is not to be used in place of medical advice. Please consult your trusted health care provider before taking any medications.
♦
Categories: Health & Wellness
Reblogged this on and commented:
From Pheobe Chi’s “Musings of a Puppydoc” blog. Great guide, thanks Pheobe!
this was awesome and very helpful. now I have a foundation for doing my own research in pain medication and management. 🙂
Wonderful. I’m glad. 🙂
Thank you for your very informative post.
Thank you for reading. 🙂
Very informative, I have always just stuck with one or the other! Advil, is usually my go to! -Bill
Pinned your chart to my Non-Pharmaceuticals board. THANKS!
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
Helpful post it is! Thanks Dr. Phoebe!
Thank you for sharing. But for me, paracetamol is only fine as am allergic to most others.
Thank you for this!
Excellent article. Acetaminophen is called Paracetamol in the UK (and perhaps other places).
Yes, I failed to note that. Paracetamol added. Thanks for pointing that out! 🙂
This is so helpful! I always wonder which to take for what and why. Thank you. 🙂
I’m glad! 🙂
Very helpful post, doc!
i am for one,
always self medicating,
not always
those
drugs
you discuss?
kisses chris
I hear ya. 🙂
Yeah, most likely don’t approve…
Nonetheless, i still got a
sticker!
lov chris
😉
More stickers…
You shouldn’t have?
kiss kiss chris
That was a through informative post on pain medications, I take Aleve, but didn’t know it could be an irritation on the stomach, now I know what causes that for me … thanks for the share 🙂
I’m glad you found it helpful! Thanks for reading. 🙂
Thank you for a wonderful post, information we all need to know.
Thank you for reading. 🙂
a pleasure
What a very creative and informative Post. Need more of these “back to basics” kinds of informative Posts. Thx Phoebe. 🙂
Thanks, Colin. 🙂 I hope these recent health-related posts will be helpful to some people.
Dear Dr. Phoebe.
Informative article. I did not know that caffeine increases the effectiveness of pain relief meds.
You are the Wonder Woman of the medical world. You are amazing. I don’t know how you do it all.
Sincerely,
Your Friend,
Richard
You are way too kind, Richard! Thank you for reading. 🙂
I confess I go for something higher in the Heroin family. Oxy Norm or Tremadol. Generally a jab in the butt from my GP, however I have a friend who relays on Special K or medical grade cocaine……Good Times! (A little humour needs be allowed from this friend, he’s got it tough) cheers, H
Wow. Well, everyone has their poison of choice, right? 😉 Sometimes these OTC meds just aren’t enough.
Well, yeah. I guess when the basic level of pain relief no longer works…….But I always say pick the appropriate tool for the job at hand……& save the heavy stuff for when you really need it?
Such an informative post. Thanks for sharing!
And thank you for reading. 🙂