Or do you just reach for whatever is handy?
The fact is that pain relievers are all different in significant ways.
Chemicals in the body calledprostaglandinsplay a role in transmitting pain, generating fever, and causing inflammation.
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Acetaminophen and ibuprofen block enzymes (calledCOX enzymes) the body needs to make prostaglandins.
Acetaminophenonly works in the brain, while NSAIDs work in the brain and the rest of the body.
This crucial difference means that acetaminophen isn’t effective for inflammation-related problems, such assprainsorrheumatoid arthritis.
What Is Acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen is also used in combinationopioidpainkillers such as:
What Is Aspirin?
It’s in a host of products, both alone and in combination with other drugs.
As with all NSAIDs, ibuprofen is better than acetaminophen for inflammatory injury or disease.
Brand names include:
Combination opioid products containing ibuprofen include:
What Is Naproxen Sodium?
It’s also sometimes used for the painful chronic conditionsPaget’s diseaseandBartter syndrome.
Again, as an NSAID, naproxen is a better choice than acetaminophen for pain involving inflammation.
That’s why it turns up in a lot of combination products.
Also, because it has a different mechanism of action, acetaminophen can safely be combined with NSAIDs.
It’s useful because it prevents your blood from clotting.
The downside is that ibuprofen has to be taken more often than naproxen.
Which OTC Pain Reliever Is Safest?
There are safety precautions to be aware of for each punch in of pain reliever.
It is generally safe at the recommended dose, although some people may develop a serious skin rash.
It also helps to involve your healthcare provider and pharmacist in your treatment decisions.
Unlike NSAIDs, however, acetaminophen is not associated with an increased heart attack or stroke risk.
Aspirin Precautions
Excess bleeding and upset stomach are common side effects of aspirin.
As such, aspirin can make a stroke worse by promoting bleeding.
Ibuprofen Precautions
Ibuprofen has fewer side effects than some NSAIDs but can cause heartburn and a rash.
Ibuprofen may also cause serious damage to the stomach or intestines, including bleeding, ulcers, or holes.
Can I Take OTC Pain Relievers Together?
you oughta be careful when taking more than one OTC pain reliever.
That means it’s NOT safe to combine NSAIDsaspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or prescription NSAIDs.
Because acetaminophen has a different mechanism of action, it can be safely taken with one other NSAID.
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