Each day many experience minor to moderate pain from head ache, tooth ache, arthritis, sprains, bumps, bruises, cuts, and even serious chronic conditions. Often people are not aware of the wide variety of safe, effective pain medications which are available without a prescription.
You sprain your ankle, you smack your finger with the hammer, or maybe your joints are just feeling old and grumpy today. Whatever the cause of the pain, you wish it were gone. Do you take a pain medication? Perhaps you are afraid to take a medicine you've never tried before. Maybe you think it can't possibly work very well since its available over the counter. So you tough it out.
Did you know your blood pressure and heart rate are elevated when you have untreated pain. Your temper probably gets shorter too! And you are miserable! Go ahead and get the bottle of pain relievers and do yourself a favor. Here's a bit of information about common pain relievers available at your grocery store or pharmacy.
Aspirin
This pain relief should be available in every household. It is the oldest and most widely tested medication on the market today. Not only does it reduce pain, but also decreases fever, and acts as a preventative to recurrent heart disease due to its anticoagulant properties. It is safe for children as well as adults. It is manufactured and available in three familiar strengths including: 81mg (children's aspirin), 325mg (adult aspirin), and 500mg (maximum strength). Aspirin is usually a safe choice unless you have a history of gastric ulcers. Always take food with aspirin in order to limit gastric irritation. Because of it's blood thinning qualities you shouldn't take large doses of aspirin on a daily basis. Either alternate it with some of the other meds listed below, or consult your pharmacist or physician if the pain does not resolve.
There are many other products that contain aspirin as a primary or combination ingredient. Ecotrin is aspirin with a protective coating to protect your stomach. Ascriptin is also aspirin, which has been mixed with Maalox in order to protect the stomach.
Acetaminophen
Commonly known as Tylenol or “non-aspirin pain reliever” this product is more widely used than aspirin for relief of pain or fever. It is much easier on the stomach, and does not have the anticoagulant properties of aspirin. One must abide by the 4000 mg/day maximum in order to protect the liver. It may not be the best choice for a person with serious liver disease, however acetaminophen is otherwise a safe choice for most people. If you are also taking prescription pain relievers, they very often contain acetaminophen in combination with another ingredient, so check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you will not get too much Tylenol.
Tylenol is also found in other over the counter pain relievers such as Percogesic which is a combination of acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine (an antihistamine). This is not to be confused with percocet or percodan which are prescription medications. Percogesic has a calming and sleep producing quality because of the presence of the antihistamine and it may be very helpful in sinus headaches or the aches and fevers associated with a cold. Likewise Tylenol PM or similar products are made up of acetaminophen combined with benadryl (another antihistamine). These are good medications if your pain has been keeping you awake at night.
Excedrin and Anacin each make several products with various mixtures of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine they can be helpful products with enhanced pain relief due to their combined properties.
Ibuprofen
Another common over-the-counter medications, is often known as Motrin or Advil. This compound belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs called (NSAIDs). Aspirin (above) and Naproxen (below) fall into the same category along with several prescription arthritis medications. Unfortunately, these medications (except aspirin) have been found to be linked to increased cardiac disease as well as stomach distress. Eating some food with the medication will usually protect from stomach distress, but the medication should not be taken over a long period of time without consulting your doctor. If you take Lithium you should not take this Ibuprofen. Other than that, if you just whacked your hand with a hammer and Motrin is all you've got…. Take the Motrin! The elevated blood pressure and stress associated with pain is not a good thing either.
Naproxen
is a medication commonly known as Aleve. It seems to bring more effective pain relief for arthritis, joint and bone pain, and it lasts longer than the previously mentioned medications. But, just as Motrin, it carries a higher risk to the cardiovascular system and the stomach. It's probably a good medication for short term use, if you have an acute joint injury. It will bring down your fever if you have none of the previously mentioned medications available, but please consult a physician before depending on Naproxen daily. Your MD may be able to offer a safer solution to your pain problem.
In short, these over the counter medications can save you a heap of misery when you have experienced a painful injury. Don't hesitate to take them when you need them. On the other hand, pain which lingers day after day should be diagnosed and treated by a physician. Don't rely on these meds to get by week after week because they have their own side effects and dangers. Don't just sit there and hurt… Do something!
