The Mayo Clinic reports over the counter medications for pain relief are used commonly as opposed to obtaining a prescription from a doctor. Pain relief drugs, such as aspirin, started off as prescription-only medicines, but after passing extensive testing on performance and side effects, these drugs became lower-dose, over the counter drugs.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen classifies as a non-narcotic pain relief medication and fever reducer. One popular acetaminophen pain reliever brand on the market is Tylenol. Many pediatricians commonly recommend it for their patients to reduce fevers and for mild discomfort. People may take the medication, sold over the counter, in many forms including liquids, pills, capsules and suppositories. It produces no common side effects, although some rare side effects exist, the Mayo Clinic reports. Taking too much of it can cause medical problems and serious side effects, such as swelling, nausea, appetite loss, diarrhea and pain. Physicians may prescribe acetaminophen in combination medications that include narcotic pain relievers such as codeine, hydrocodone and oxycodone.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is sold overt the counter under different brand names, such as Motrin. According to the Mayo Clinic, this medication is used commonly to decrease pain and reduce fevers. This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug medication also referred to as NSAIDS is classified as it reduces inflammation according to Mayo Clinic. It is used commonly to reduce inflammation caused by arthritis and soft tissue injuries. This medication can be taken as a capsule, pill or liquid, and has increased common serious side effects known of the NSAIDs sold over the counter. Any of these may require immediate medical treatment, the Mayo Clinic states. They include pain in the abdomen, skin paleness, nausea, breathing difficulties and abnormal body weakness, among many others.
Acetylsalicylic Acid
Acetylsalicylic acid, more commonly known as aspirin, also classifies as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It was one of the first, reaching the market as a powder in 1899, but only to doctors. Dr. Tsung O. Cheng in a letter to the editor of the "Texas Heart Institute Journal," defines the word "aspirin" and how it lost the capital "A" when Bayer, the company to first market it, lost patent protection. Aspirin has few common side effects, and they all center around stomach upset, including nausea and heartburn, Drugs.com reports.
Naproxen
Naproxen sodium specifically is marketed as a pain reliever for various forms of arthritis. However, people use it for mild or moderate pain of other sorts as well. It, too, classifies as an NSAID. Along with pain, it can reduce stiffness, swelling and inflammation, the Mayo Clinic reports. Naproxen may cause some common serious side effects such as breathing problems, headaches, itching, bruising, chest pain and others. These occur more often with prescription-strength naproxen than OTC varieties, but the National Institutes of Health recommend contacting a physician immediately for any of them.
