Over the course of our lives, every one will experience pain. Because pain relievers work in different ways, it's important to know what your options are so you can chose the medication that will help you get pain relief quickly. Injury, arthritis, sore muscles, headaches and daily life can all trigger pain that can commonly be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. There are two categories of over-the-counter pain relievers: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Acetaminophen works to block pain receptors in the brain; it will not decrease swelling. NSAIDs interrupt the chemical process that causes inflammation and will decrease your pain. NSAIDs can also be found in prescription strength. Because acetaminophen and NSAIDs work in different ways to control pain, they can be taken together to increase pain control.
If you can not control your pain with over-the-counter pain relievers, contact your healthcare provider. Uncontrolled pain can be a symptom of a medical problem. Also, there are prescription strength pain relievers that may provide relief.
What to Look for
Antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs) will work best to reduce pain related to swelling, while acetaminophen will work best for headaches, arthritis pain or pain not associated with swelling.
You may want to consult your healthcare provider in getting help to determine the source of your discomfort, helping to establish which pain reliever will be right for you. If not, your pharmacist may be able to give you adequate information to help you chose the correct medication.
Look for pain relievers that are not expired or opened, making sure the packaging has not been tampered with in any way. Generic versions of pain relievers reportedly have the same effectiveness as their name brand counterparts and cost less.
Common Pitfalls
Before taking any over-the-counter medications, including pain relievers, note any drug allergies you may have. There are a few over-the-counter medications that combine both acetaminophen and NSAIDs, so be sure to read the labels and know what you are taking.
Follow all dosing instructions for any pain relievers you use. NSAIDs are known to cause mild to severe gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Eating or drinking milk may help ease mild stomach irritation. The longer you use NSAIDs, the greater risk you have of developing GI problems. NSAIDs may also increase blood pressure and stress the kidneys. These side affects are considered to be dependent on the dose you are taking and the length of time you have been using NSAIDs as a pain reliever. While acetaminophen is not known to cause stomach irritation, it can cause liver damage at high doses. Always take the recommended amount.
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