Pain Relievers
We have all experienced it in our lives at one point or another counter medications.
Remember that this guide is in '''NO''' way a substitute for professional medical advice. Everyone is different and may react adversely to certain drugs especially those under 12, over 65, pregnant women or those breastfeeding, or those with medical conditions. Always read the important information on the labels, including dosage and directions.
'''''Please consult your doctor before purchasing or using any of the following medications.'''''
Pain Reliever Types
When Choosing Pain Killers
Besides what you are using a pain killer for, you probably also want to consider how easy it is to take and how much it will cost.
Form, Shape, and Size
There are numerous forms of pain killers available over the counter, from capsules, to tablets, to gel-coated forms and more. Usually tablets are the easiest to swallow since they are small and round. They can also be split or crushed before ingestion to make them more convenient to take. Capsules tend to be larger, which may be harder to swallow.
Price
Like with most health and beauty products, the most important thing to remember is that the ingredients are the what matter, not the brand name. Generic overcounter pain killers have shown to provide just as much pain relief as more expensive brands. Don't buy gargantuan bottles of pain relievers if you have never tried the brand before. Make sure that you don't have any allergies or adverse reactions to the drug. Then later you can save money by buying in bulk if desired.
Children and Pain Relief
For children, chewables, effervescents and liquid elixirs are easy to give and to regulate pain relief. Plus they don't pose any choking risk. For very young children, drops can be useful in administering pain killers because you can regulate dosage precisely. Please see the "External Links" section for more information about pain killers and the side effect that they pose for children.
External Links
* '''Acetaminophen'''
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WebMD.com: Tylenol and its links to sudden liver failure from December 2005.
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Nlm.nih.gov: Some information by MedlinePlus about acetaminophen, including dosing and lists of brands.
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Epinions.com: Post drinking headache relief. Why Tylenol is not the best choice.
* '''Aspirin'''
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Parade.com: A former medical student talks about aspirin, hangovers, dosing, side effects, and the gastrointestinal risks associated with using aspirin and NSAIDs.
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MayoClinic.com: NSAIDs and negative gastrointestinal side effects.
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WebMD.com: An article about how most pain killers increase the risk for heart disease and stroke from 2005.
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Annals.org: A study by the Annals of Internal Medicine about the increased risk of heart attacks from NSAIDs in people over 65.
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BayerAsperin.com: Their fact sheet about aspirin.
* '''Children'''
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CNN.com
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TheArc.org: Information about Reye's Syndrome.
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Wikipedia.org: An article about Reye's Syndrome.
* '''General'''
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FamilyDoctor.org: A very good article on OTC medicines and how they work, including discussions on topics such as side effects in seniors, children, pregnant women, and more.
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MayoClinic.com: General information about the different types of pain relievers.
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Alcoholism.About.com: Alcoholism and using painkillers.
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Pediatrics.About.com: Tylenol vs. Motrin for children with a fever.
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Choice.com.au: A detailed, but fairly easy to read guide to buying pain killers.
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CancerHelp.org.uk: Painkiller advice for cancer patients.
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Wikipedia.org: The step ladder of painkillers.
* '''Relief for Different Types of Pain '''
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FamilyDoctor.org: Exercises and tips for managing back pain.
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Backpain.Realage.com: Information about painkillers, plus exercises to do for relieving back pain.
