Know Your Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain and Fever Medications

  Contributed by: Grace Kuweruza, Pharm.D. Candidate

                        UMKC School of Pharmacy
Text Box: What are the main types of OTC pain and fever medications? There are two main types of over-the-counter (OTC) pain and fever medications that you can buy without a prescription from you physician. One type is acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and the second type is nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDS). The NSAIDS include: Aspirin (Bayer® Aspirin, St. Joseph’s®) Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) Naproxen (Aleve®) Text Box: How do OTC pain and fever medications work? These medication do one or any combination of three things: Antipyretic-reduces fever Analgesic-reduces pain Anti-inflammatory –reduces inflammation which can cause swelling, tenderness, fever, and pain Here are the general recommendations: Read the package label carefully. Know the active ingredient. Know the recommended dose. Do not exceed the maximum recommended dose. Text Box: Do not hesitate to talk to your physician or pharmacist if you have any question. For more information, go to: www.motrin.com www.tylenol.com www.bayeraspirin.com Text Box: Next Page Text Box: Previous Page

Here is a guide to help you choose the best medications for your condition:

 

 Acetaminophen

 Aspirin

 Ibuprofen

 Naproxen

 Brand-name examples

 Tylenol®

 Bayer® Aspirin,

 St. Joseph®

 Advil®, Motrin®

 Aleve ®

 Uses

Very effective pain

 and fever reducer.

 Does not contain

 anti-inflammatory

 activities.

 

 

 Great choice for arthritis

 pain and migraine.

 

 Effective fever reducer and

 anti-inflammatory.

 

 Low dose aspirin (Baby

 aspirin = 81 mg) if taken

 daily may reduce the risk of

 heart attacks or angina.

 Great pain reliever, fever

 reducer and anti-

 inflammatory.

 

 Very helpful for arthritis

 and musculoskeletal pain,

 menstrual cramps, and

 headache.

 

 

 

 Like Ibuprofen,

 great pain

 reliever, fever

 reducer, and anti

 inflammatory.

 

 Very effective for

 arthritis and

 musculoskeletal

 pain, menstrual

 cramps, and

 headache.

 Length of pain relieve

 4-6 hours

 4-6 hours

 6-8 hours

 12 hours

 Side effects

 Not hard on

 digestive system. 

 Can cause liver

 damage when used

 long term at high

 dose.

 Difficult on stomach lining

 and digestive system. 

 Can be difficult on your

 stomach. Should be taken

 with food.

 Like Ibuprofen

 and Aspirin, can

 be hard on

 stomach.

 Safe for children

 Excellent for children

 Should not be taken by

 children and teenagers

 Safe for children

 Very strong and

 too long lasting

 for children