Which Pain Reliever Is Best For Me?
Which of the two main categories of pain reliever will work best for you depends on what kind of pain you’re suffering from, combined with your age and other risk factors. OTC pain relievers should only be used for temporary pain relief, and should not be used for a period longer than 10 days unless prescribed by your doctor for management of a chronic condition. If you have developed a pain that lasts longer than a week, call your doctor. Find out what could be causing the pain to rule out a more serious condition that you may be masking with your pain relievers.
If you have a chronic condition, are taking prescription medications, or have a risk factor that might cause a drug reaction or interaction, check with your physician to determine which type of pain reliever is best for you.
Acetaminophen
Recommended For: Acetaminophen is recommended for fever reduction and pain management as a result of muscle aches, headaches, cold and flu symptoms, back pain, toothaches, arthritis, and PMS symptoms. It does not effectively treat pain as a result of inflammation.
How It Works: Acetaminophen works by targeting the parts of the brain that manage pain messages and control body temperature.
Who Should Use It: Acetaminophen is considered the safest type of pain reliever for infants and children, and does not have as many risks for side effects or stomach problems as NSAIDs. It is also considered to be the safer option for management of chronic pain caused by arthritis and other chronic illnesses.
Warnings: If you’re taking a form of acetaminophen that’s prescribed by a doctor (such as Tylenol #3), it is often combined with a stronger painkiller (such as codeine). Use caution when taking these pills and don’t confuse them with OTC acetaminophen.
You should never take more than 3,000 mg of acetaminophen in a 24 hour period; larger amounts can cause damage to your liver, and the effects of that damage may not be evident for several days after an overdose. You should also speak with your doctor before combining acetaminophen with prescription painkillers.