Differences between OTC Pain Medications
Friday, August 04, 2006
When it comes to getting over-the-counter pain relief, the choice can be daunting.
Painkillers can be quite serious. For example, people with asthma have been known to have a reaction to ibuprofin, and acetaminophen could affect those who have a history of liver disease.
Here are some facts you should know about over-the-counter pain medications. Keep in mind that many of the following symptoms can be rare:
Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol. It eases pain and fever, but won’t reduce inflammation, and generally provides relief for four to six hours. Side effects are rare when taken for short periods, but when taken long-term at high doses, acetaminophen can cause liver damage. It may worsen severe kidney and liver diseases, and should not be taken with alcohol or other medicines that contain acetaminophen. It comes in children’s formulas, and is safe in pregnancy and for breast-feeding women when taken short-term.
ASA (Aspirin, Bufferin) treats pain and fever, as well as inflammation. It generally lasts four to six hours. Possible side effects are stomach pain, heartburn, constipation, and dizziness; more serious complications may include stomach bleeding, impairment of kidney function, liver dysfunction or allergic reaction. ASA is thought to worsen asthma, diabetes, bleeding disorder, gout, kidney disease, liver disease and stomach ulcers. It should not be taken with alcohol, blood thinners, corticosteroids, high blood pressure or diabetes medications, methotrexate or probenecid. ASA can also cause Reye’s syndrome in children with chickenpox, the flu and other viral illnesses. It is not safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Ibuprofin (Advil) Like ASA, ibuprofen eases pain, fever and inflammation for four to six hours. It has the same common side-effects as ASA—stomach pain, heartburn, constipation or dizziness—and many of the more serious ones, including stomach bleeding, impairment of kidney function, liver dysfunction or allergic reaction. Prolonged use of ibuprofen above the recommended dosage may also increase the risk of cardiovascular problems and serious skin reactions. It may worsen liver, heart or kidney disease, high blood pressure, bleeding disorder or stomach problems. Ibuprofen should not be taken with alcohol, blood thinners, diuretics, medications for arthritis or diabetes, ASA, or other over-the-counter pain relievers. It is safe for children, but not for pregnant women, and should only be used by breast-feeding women for short-term relief.
Painkillers can be quite serious. For example, people with asthma have been known to have a reaction to ibuprofin, and acetaminophen could affect those who have a history of liver disease.
Here are some facts you should know about over-the-counter pain medications. Keep in mind that many of the following symptoms can be rare:
Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol. It eases pain and fever, but won’t reduce inflammation, and generally provides relief for four to six hours. Side effects are rare when taken for short periods, but when taken long-term at high doses, acetaminophen can cause liver damage. It may worsen severe kidney and liver diseases, and should not be taken with alcohol or other medicines that contain acetaminophen. It comes in children’s formulas, and is safe in pregnancy and for breast-feeding women when taken short-term.
ASA (Aspirin, Bufferin) treats pain and fever, as well as inflammation. It generally lasts four to six hours. Possible side effects are stomach pain, heartburn, constipation, and dizziness; more serious complications may include stomach bleeding, impairment of kidney function, liver dysfunction or allergic reaction. ASA is thought to worsen asthma, diabetes, bleeding disorder, gout, kidney disease, liver disease and stomach ulcers. It should not be taken with alcohol, blood thinners, corticosteroids, high blood pressure or diabetes medications, methotrexate or probenecid. ASA can also cause Reye’s syndrome in children with chickenpox, the flu and other viral illnesses. It is not safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Ibuprofin (Advil) Like ASA, ibuprofen eases pain, fever and inflammation for four to six hours. It has the same common side-effects as ASA—stomach pain, heartburn, constipation or dizziness—and many of the more serious ones, including stomach bleeding, impairment of kidney function, liver dysfunction or allergic reaction. Prolonged use of ibuprofen above the recommended dosage may also increase the risk of cardiovascular problems and serious skin reactions. It may worsen liver, heart or kidney disease, high blood pressure, bleeding disorder or stomach problems. Ibuprofen should not be taken with alcohol, blood thinners, diuretics, medications for arthritis or diabetes, ASA, or other over-the-counter pain relievers. It is safe for children, but not for pregnant women, and should only be used by breast-feeding women for short-term relief.
