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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
The most common types of painkillers include over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, and naproxen. In more severe cases of pain, your doctor may also prescribe opioids like morphine, codeine, and oxycodone. It's important to always follow directions closely when taking painkillers, whether OTC or prescription, as they can both have serious side effects. It's common to reach for an over-the-counter painkiller if you're experiencing headaches, muscle soreness, joint pain, or even period cramps. The popular brand-name options — like Advil, Tylenol, or Aleve — can all be effective at relieving this pain. However, some painkillers may be a better fit for you than others, and all of them have specific instructions that must be followed carefully in order to be taken safely. In more severe cases of pain, like after surgeries or injuries, your doctor may also prescribe a prescription painkiller. Here's everything you need to know about the different types of over-the-counter and prescription painkillers and how to use each safely and effectively. IbuprofenCommon brand names: Advil and MotrinIbuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX enzyme). This prevents prostaglandins from forming. Prostaglandins are responsible for inflammatory reactions in the body, says Donna-Ann Thomas, MD, anesthesiologist and division chief of pain medicine at Yale Medicine. By blocking prostaglandins, ibuprofen reduces inflammation and the pain that comes along with it. Dosing: The appropriate dose for adults is 400 milligrams every four to six hours, Thomas says. The medication can be taken for seven to 10 days. If you feel like you need to take the medication beyond this time period, you should contact your doctor and only take the medication long term under their supervision, since taking ibuprofen long-term can cause dangerous side effects like peptic ulcers or kidney failure. AspirinCommon brand names: Bayer and EcotrinSimilar to ibuprofen, aspirin is also a NSAID that inhibits the COX enzyme and prevents inflammatory prostaglandins from forming. This reduces inflammation and pain. Dosing: The appropriate dose for adults is 325 milligrams or 650 milligrams every four hours (one or two regular strength pills) or 500 milligrams (extra strength dosage) every six hours, Thomas says. Like ibuprofen, aspirin can be taken safely on a short term basis for seven to 10 days. If you need to take it for longer, contact your doctor, since long-term use can result in harmful side effects such as peptic ulcers or kidney failure, similar to ibuprofen. However, your risk of peptic ulcers is higher with aspirin. NaproxenCommon brand name: AleveNaproxen is also in the NSAID class and works the same way as ibuprofen and aspirin, by inhibiting the COX enzyme and preventing the formation of prostaglandins, reducing inflammation and pain. Dosing: The appropriate dose for adults is 220 milligrams every eight to 12 hours, Thomas says. Just like ibuprofen and aspirin, naproxen should only be taken short term for seven to 10 days unless you are under supervision of a doctor and instructed to do so. Since it is also
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