Simplifying the Confusion of Over the Counter Pain Relief Medications

When You Should Take Aspirin? Ibuprofen? Acetaminophen? Naproxen?

With so many brand name over the counter pain relief medications on the market it’s often difficult to know which is the best for you to turn to when you need it. Walking down the average pain reliever aisle in your local drug store has turned into an adventure. As with so many other facets of American life, there are simply too many choices that are made more confusing by the fact that so many of them do the exact same thing.

Aspirin, of course, is the granddaddy of pain relievers. Literally. Aspirin has been been marketed as a pain reliever since the 19th century. That’s the 1800s. Aspirin was originally trademarked as a brand name by the German pharmaceutical giant Bayer, but a little unpleasantness now known as World War I pretty much put an end to that. Today aspirin is recognized not only in the traditional form still sold by Bayer, but also as Bufferin, Excedrin and many others.

The most effective uses of aspirin are for treating headaches, cramps and pain, as well as for reducing fever—but only in adults in that latter case. The problem stems from the fact that aspirin doesn’t sit too well in the stomach. Aspirin can cause bleeding of the stomach lining and therefore should be avoided by anyone suffering ulcers or any other kind abdominal inflammation. In addition, in severe cases aspirin can potentially cause fatal inflammation of the brain—known as Reye’s Syndrome—if it is taken by children who already are suffering from a common childhood viral infection such as chicken pox. As a general precaution, most health care professionals advise against anyone under the age of at least 16 taking aspirin to treat a fever, and yes that does include baby aspirin.