Do you have a headache, a strained muscle, or cramps? OTC pain medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen may be beneficial.
They’re also less expensive and easier to find. In addition to brand-name OTC pain medicines, pharmacies stock generic alternatives, which are often less expensive and just as effective.
We looked through a database of medicine evaluations from our friends at Iodine to see how pleased individuals were with OTC pain treatments.
The reviews were based on real-world experiences with these drugs by consumers. Our sample size was almost 4,000 persons.
It turns out that most individuals find over-the-counter pain remedies to be effective – at least 75% of reviewers stated each of the following prescriptions was worthwhile.
Ibuprofen has an 88 percent satisfaction rating.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a kind of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) that is used to treat pain, fever, and edema.
Many people see this as one of the greatest pain relievers. In fact, nearly 9 out of 10 of the 892 reviewers believed the medicine was worthwhile.
Ibuprofen, as an OTC anti-inflammatory, can be especially beneficial for some types of pain, such as arthritis, joint pain, and muscular pain.
Score for aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate: 78 percent
The aspirin in aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer) acts as a pain reliever, while the sodium bicarbonate and citric acid act as antacids.
Antacids help to neutralize stomach acid and, as opposed to other forms of pain, are particularly useful for pain produced by stomach upset and heartburn.
Naproxen – worth it score: 78%
Naproxen (Aleve), like ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is used to relieve pain, swelling, and fever. Because naproxen and ibuprofen are in the same pharmaceutical family, their effects are comparable.
However, naproxen has a longer half-life than ibuprofen. Ibuprofen has a half-life of roughly 2 hours, while naproxen has a half-life of 12 to 17 hours.
As a result, naproxen does not need to be taken as frequently as ibuprofen.
Acetaminophen has a 77 percent worthiness rating.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is less harsh on the stomach than other over-the-counter pain relievers. It works well for pain relief and fever reduction.
It is also regarded as one of the best and safest over-the-counter pain relievers when taken appropriately.
Acetaminophen begins to work around an hour after it is taken. However, make careful to follow the dose recommendations precisely because taking too much acetaminophen might result in serious liver damage.
It’s especially easy to overdo it if you’re taking many acetaminophen-containing drugs.
Score for Aspirin: 76 percent
Aspirin lowers fever, relieves pain, and may protect the heart in patients who are at risk of cardiovascular disease. Although aspirin is one of the greatest over-the-counter pain relievers, it is most usually advised by healthcare practitioners for its cardiac advantages.
Even though three out of four individuals believe aspirin is beneficial, this pain medication thins the blood. As a result, using it on a frequent basis may raise the risk of internal bleeding.
As a result, ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be safer options for OTC pain relief and fever reduction.
