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The safest and most effective Generic painkillers
Friday, January 29, 2010
Ache? Pain? Sprain? Which pill works best for what ails you? With more than 75 percent of us taking over-the-counter painkillers at least once a month (per a Self.com poll), it's key to know the safest and most effective choice.
Acetaminophen (found in Tylenol)
Best for:
Fever
Mild to moderate musculoskeletal pain
Mild to moderate back pain
Mild to moderate headache
Pain-signal reducer
How it functions isn't well understood, but acetaminophen may block COX-3, a protein that helps send out the body's pain signals. It's not as potent as some other OTC painkillers such as naproxen and ibuprofen, so it's typically effective only for low-intensity aches. If you've had alcohol in the past 24 hours (or plan to), hit the brakes: Too much acetaminophen and alcohol can damage the liver. An advisory committee to the FDA has proposed lowering the maximum daily dose from 4 grams (which may be too much for some people); watch these pages for the new limit. If you feel weak or "off" after use, see a doc, stat.
Aspirin (found in Bayer and Anacin)
Best for:
Mild toothache
Moderately sore muscles
Mild to moderate back pain
Mild to moderate headache
Blood declutterer
Aspirin eases pain and inflammation by slowing the production of prostaglandins, molecules that activate pain receptors. The active ingredient, acetylsalicylic acid, also makes blood platelets less sticky, which is why people at risk for heart attack take aspirin to help prevent clots. In many people, acetylsalicylic acid reaches toxicity faster than do ibuprofen and naproxen (the maximum daily dose is 4 grams), so regular use has a higher risk for side effects such as gastric irritation. Thus aspirin is useful for mild to moderate, but not severe or chronic, pain. If you just had or are about to have surgery, steer clear.
See our tips: 10 secrets to staying pain-free!
Ibuprofen (found in Advil) and naproxen (found in Aleve)
Best for:
Acute muscle injury
Arthritis
Joint pain
Lower-back pain
Moderate to severe headache
Moderate to severe menstrual cramps
Anti-inflammatories
Like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen inhibit prostaglandin production to stop inflammation and pain. But they can also disrupt H2, a gut histamine, stimulating the overproduction of gastric acid and leading to stomach upset and even bleeding, warns Rollin M. Gallagher, M.D., of Philadelphia, past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. If you have a history of stomach problems (like ulcers), these might not be for you. Call your doc if you have stomach pain, vomiting or black stools or if you cough blood after taking one. The max daily dose for ibuprofen is 1,200 milligrams; for naproxen, 600 mg.
The most important rule
Listen to your body! An OTC pill that works well for one person may not help another, so trial and error can be your best pal. One caveat for pregnant ladies: Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen can cause heart problems in the fetus, so consult your M.D. before you take any pill.
Tags: pills, pain killers, pain, medicine
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19 comments
so far for me the most effective OTC medicine for headache is Cortal Aspirin 500, I've heard of bad press about this product but I've also heard good ones. Just like what this blog says listen to your body, as far I'm concerned this is what works for me.
April 10, 2014 at 12:08 PMTramadol and arcoxia 120mg after 15mins you can feel the results.
February 5, 2016 at 5:42 PMOf all the pain reliever I've tried, I can say that Flanax works best. For the fact that it is safe, affordable and effective made me worry less when I am experiencing body pain. Its a good thing that I can buy it in all leading drug stores nationwide. So for a fast relief, I highly recommend for you guys to try this product. :)
June 30, 2016 at 6:59 PMWhat isa the best medicine for toothache? :'( please help
August 9, 2016 at 6:24 AMWhat isa the best medicine for toothache? :'( please help
August 9, 2016 at 6:24 AMDo you think i can use flanax as subtitute for aspirin and be the medicine that can cure my PDA
September 4, 2016 at 7:56 PMwhat is best for arthritis? thank you
March 20, 2017 at 12:35 AMWhat is the best medicine for arthritis I can't hardly move my hands and feet
June 1, 2017 at 11:16 PMI'm having the same problem and in need of something to help because heaps of pain and can hardly move
June 1, 2017 at 11:18 PMLook up this medication you can buy without.script acetaminophen it helps alot
June 1, 2017 at 11:20 PMThats for arthritis I noticed a difference after one tablet you have one in the morning and one at dinner time it will help you alot
June 1, 2017 at 11:25 PMTwo tablets every eight hours the ones I have are 650mg each tablet this will 100℅ help
June 1, 2017 at 11:29 PMTooth ache drops from mercury they numb the tooth
June 1, 2017 at 11:30 PMWill aleve give me relief with my trochanteric bursitis?
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October 5, 2018 at 3:59 AMBest medicine to severe toothache
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March 5, 2020 at 2:46 AMPost a Comment