There are dozens of pain-relief products. Most contain either aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. These three drugs, as well as naproxen sodium, relieve pain and reduce fever. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium also relieve inflammation. They belong to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

When you buy pain relievers, keep in mind that generic products are chemically equivalent to more expensive brand-name products, and they usually work equally well.

Aspirin

Aspirin is widely used for relieving pain and reducing fever in adults. It also relieves minor itching and reduces swelling and inflammation. Most tablets contain 325 mg of aspirin. Although it seems familiar and safe, aspirin is a very powerful drug.

Aspirin precautions

• Keep all aspirin, especially baby aspirin, out of children's reach.
• Aspirin increases the risk of Reye's syndrome in children. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 unless your doctor tells you to do so.
• Aspirin can irritate the stomach lining, causing bleeding or ulcers. If aspirin upsets your stomach, try a coated brand, such as Ecotrin. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to determine what will work best for you.
• Some people are allergic to aspirin. They may also be allergic to ibuprofen.
• Throw aspirin away if it starts to smell like vinegar.
• Do not take aspirin if you have gout or if you take blood thinners (anticoagulants).
• If you are pregnant, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking aspirin.
• Do not take aspirin for a hangover. Aspirin used with alcohol increases your risk for stomach irritation.
• High doses may result in aspirin poisoning (salicylism). Stop taking aspirin and call a doctor if any of these symptoms occur:
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Visual disturbances
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Rapid, deep breathing

Other aspirin uses

In addition to relieving pain and inflammation, aspirin is effective against many other ailments. Because of the danger of side effects and the interactions aspirin may have with other medicines, do not try these uses of aspirin without a doctor's supervision.

Heart attack and stroke: Aspirin in low but regular doses helps prevent heart attacks and strokes in certain people, including people with diabetes. For more information, see the topics Chest Pain and Heart Attack and Unstable Angina.

Migraines: Regular, low-dose aspirin use may reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.

Other pain relievers

Ibuprofen (the active ingredient in products such as Advil and Nuprin) and naproxen sodium (in products such as Aleve) are other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Like aspirin, these drugs relieve pain and reduce fever and inflammation. Also like aspirin, they can cause nausea, stomach irritation, and heartburn. People who take blood thinners (anticoagulants) should use these drugs with caution.

Acetaminophen (the active ingredient in products such as Tylenol) reduces fever and relieves pain. It does not have the anti-inflammatory effect of NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, but it also does not cause stomach upset and other side effects.

The product's package label will tell you how many milligrams (mg) of medicine are in each pill, how much you should take; and how often you should take it. Do not exceed the dosage limits, and follow the instructions on the package if you have health problems that may make it unsafe for you to take the usual dosage of a product.

If you are pregnant, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any kind of pain reliever.