What may be an appropriate pain reliever for you?
OTC pain relievers can provide the relief you want to get on with your day, but not all of them are suitable for everyone.
When you’re in pain, your first thought may be just to get relief. But it’s also important to think about responsible use. With certain pain relievers, your age, health conditions, and other medications you are taking may increase the chance of unwanted side effects. Make an appropriate choice for you. If in doubt, always check with a healthcare provider.
Acetaminophen
For example:
TYLENOL®
Do you:
- drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages every day?
- have liver disease?
- take the blood thinning drug warfarin?
- take prescription medicines containing acetaminophen, including acetaminophen-containing narcotics?
- take other OTC medicines containing acetaminophen, including cough and cold or allergy products, sleep aids, and pain relievers?
- have an allergy to acetaminophen?
If you checked any of these boxes, talk to your healthcare professional before taking OTC acetaminophen, because other pain relievers may be more appropriate for you.
4,000 mg
NSAIDs = Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Ibuprofenfor example: MOTRIN®, Advil®
Naproxen sodiumfor example: Aleve®, MOTRIMAX ™ 12 HOURS
Diclofenac*for example:Voltaren Emulgel®
*applied topically
Acetylsalicylic Acidfor example: Aspirin®
Have you:
- ever had an allergic reaction or serious side effects from taking pain relievers?
- recently had heart surgery or are you about to have heart surgery?
Do you:
- take prescription medicines for gout, diabetes, or arthritis?
- have an allergy to Aspirin®?
Do you:
- have a history of stomach bleeding or stomach ulcers?
- have a history of stomach problems, such as heartburn?
- have kidney disease?
- have heart disease?
- have high blood pressure?
- have liver cirrhosis?
- have asthma?
- drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages every day?
- take prescription medicines, such as NSAIDs, diuretics, or blood thinning drugs (anticoagulants)?
- take other OTC medicines containing NSAIDs, including cough and cold or allergy products, sleep aids, and pain relievers?
- take steroids or have a condition that requires long-term steroid use?
If you checked any of these boxes, talk to your healthcare professional before taking an OTC NSAID, such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetylsalicylic acid, because other pain relievers may be more appropriate for you.
4,000 mg
1,200 mg
440 mg
16 g*/32 g**
4,000 mg
NEVER TAKE more than this amount in 24 hours.
*if applied to lower extremities **if applied to upper extremities
Your age and health conditions may affect your pain reliever choices
Did you know, for example:
-
If you have liver disease, acetaminophen labels say to ask a doctor before use
-
If you take Aspirin® 81-325 mg for daily preventative therapy, ibuprofen may decrease that heart health benefit
-
If you have high blood pressure or heart failure, ask your doctor before using an NSAID
-
You should ask a doctor or pharmacist before using acetaminophen if you are taking warfarin-containing blood thinning drugs or if you drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day
-
If you are over age 65 you may have an increased risk of stomach bleeding with certain oral OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetylsalicylic acid
Important: This is not intended to be a complete listing of factors or to replace the information on product labelling or advice given by a healthcare professional.
Take these steps to learn which pain reliever may be appropriate for you:
-
Always read and follow your medicine labels
-
Use the helpful comparison chart to assist in making an appropriate choice for you
-
If you still have questions, ask your healthcare professional
Personal Pain Reliever Quiz
See if your pain reliever is still an appropriate choice for you.
Have you asked a healthcare professional about OTC pain relievers?
Make the most of your next visit.