Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Unlike the three other primary OTC pain medications, acetaminophen does not contain anti-inflammatory properties. If they contain Tylenol, you should include that as part of a daily limit.
The U. Food and Drug Administration FDA recommends 4,mg as the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for adults. This can help to make patients feel better, however it is not always recommended, as the temperature increase can be a natural defense to fight infections.
Anti- inflammatory drugs are particularly good for things like muscle and joint pain, as they not only block out the pain but also target the cause.
Rheumatic pain is pain in the joints and connective tissues, most commonly caused by arthritis. Muscle pain can be caused by exercise or other stresses, as well as infections such as flu.
Bloating, usually in the abdomen, is an uncomfortable swollen feeling. It is usually caused by a build-up of fluid or gas. Naproxen may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it for an extended period of time.
Constipation means having difficulty with regular bowel movements. Arthritis is a common condition which causes inflammation within a joint. This can cause a lot of pain as well as difficulty carrying out day to day tasks. Which are the best painkillers? To help navigate when to choose which of these common over-the-counter medications, Potter offers the following information about each pain and fever-reducer:.
Since acetaminophen is often combined with other over-the-counter cold medications that contain fever-reducing ingredients, people may end up taking multiple doses and exceeding the daily limitations. People with liver disease, or who have consumed alcohol regularly, should be especially wary of the dosage they consume as unintentional overdosing can result in severe liver damage or even failure.
Fortunately, these serious complications can be avoided if treated within 24 hours. Potter explains that the most common symptoms of acetaminophen overdose are lethargy a sluggish state and nausea or vomiting. If an individual exhibits these symptoms, they should seek medical attention within 24 hours, if possible.
Unlike its counterparts, acetaminophen does not possess any anti-inflammatory effects. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.
Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Most people have one or more over-the-counter OTC pain relievers in the house, but do you know which ones are best for certain kinds of pain? Or do you just reach for whatever is convenient?
By and large, most people tend to stick with the brand they recognize or believe is "better" than others. You may wonder whether there are really any differences between them. The fact is—they are all different in significant ways. When you're buying them, taking them, and especially combining them with each other or other medications, you need to know a few crucial pieces of information.
The four main OTC pain drugs on the market are:. Each one has both benefits and risks. While their general function is more or less the same—to alleviate pain—their mechanism of action and how they're best used does vary.
The reasons for using them can include some or all of the following:. The choice of drug depends largely on the condition s you need to treat and the potential problems that may prevent you from using a particular product. All of these OTC pain relievers have an impact on proteins called COX enzymes , but one of these medications works differently from the others. Ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs with a similar mechanism of action.
Because of this, you shouldn't combine more than one type of NSAID as that can increase the likelihood of side effects. Serious risks of NSAIDs—with the exception of aspirin—include an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. COX enzymes are involved in the inflammatory process, so blocking them counters inflammation and the pain it can cause. Meanwhile, acetaminophen's mechanism of action isn't fully understood, but it seems to increase your body's pain threshold the point at which sensation is perceived as painful.
This crucial difference means that acetaminophen isn't effective for inflammation-related problems, such as sprains or rheumatoid arthritis. Acetaminophen is one of the most-used drugs in the U. Brand names of OTC products containing acetaminophen include:. You'll also find acetaminophen in most drugs that say they relieve sinus pain, such as multi-symptom cold and flu products. Acetaminophen is also used in combination opioid painkillers such as:.
Acetaminophen is used so widely because it's not only effective, it also has fewer side effects than other OTC pain medications and doesn't interact negatively with most common drugs. That's why it turns up in a lot of combination products. Also, because it has a different mechanism of action, acetaminophen can safely be combined with NSAIDs.
Some studies say it's just as good as NSAIDs for headaches, while others have found it to be less effective. However, studies have shown that drugs combining acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine are superior for some types of migraine disorders. Much of it depends on the type of headache and your individual response to the medications.
However, because acetaminophen doesn't reduce inflammation, it may be less effective for inflammatory causes of pain, like arthritis or certain injuries. Acetaminophen is often combined with opioid pain medication to treat serious pain following surgery, from injuries, or from chronic pain. It is generally safe at the recommended dose, although some people may develop a serious skin rash.
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