Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer), naproxen (Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin are some of the top-rated over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medications. Show
OTC anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen are especially effective for some types of pain caused by swelling or inflammation. Like all medications, these OTC pain relievers can have side effects. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting a new medication. Have a headache, a pulled muscle, or cramps? Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen may be able to help. Unlike prescription pain medications containing opioids, OTC painkillers aren’t habit-forming and likely won’t leave you feeling groggy, dizzy, or constipated. They’re also more affordable and easy to find. In addition to brand-name OTC pain relievers, pharmacies carry generic versions, which are generally cheaper and work just as well. To find out how satisfied people were with OTC pain relievers, we went through a database of drug reviews from our friends at Iodine. The reviews were based on users’ real-life experiences with these medications. Our sample included more than 4,000 people. Turns out most people find that OTC pain relievers work well — at least 75% of reviewers said each of the below medications was worth it. We’ve included “worth it” scores below for the top 5 OTC pain relievers to reflect how well they worked for the people reviewing them. These scores take into account factors like effectiveness and side effects, which we’ll cover in more detail. We’ll also cover important considerations to keep in mind for each pain relief medication. Ibuprofen – worth it score: 88%Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that treats pain, fever, and swelling. Many people consider this to be one of the best pain relief medications. In fact, out of 892 reviewers, nearly 9 out of 10 said the drug was worth taking. Since it’s an OTC anti-inflammatory, ibuprofen can be especially effective for some types of pain like arthritis, joint pain, and muscle pain. How quickly ibuprofen starts to work depends on whether you are taking the liquid or tablet form as well as on individual factors like your body composition. In general, ibuprofen reaches its peak level in the blood about 1 to 2 hours after you take it. But you may start to feel the effects of it just 30 minutes after taking it. The side effects of ibuprofen are like those of most NSAIDs, including:
Do not take the medication if you have a history of a kidney disorder without speaking to a healthcare provider. The maximum daily dose is 1,200 mg for the OTC version of this pain reliever. If your healthcare provider gave you a prescription for ibuprofen, make sure you follow their instructions on how much to safely take. Aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate – worth it score: 78%In aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer), the aspirin works as a pain reliever, while the sodium bicarbonate and citric acid are antacids. Antacids work to neutralize stomach acid and tend to be most effective for pain caused by stomach upset and heartburn, as opposed to other types of pain. Eight out of 10 reviewers said Alka-Seltzer was worth taking. Because it contains aspirin, this OTC pain relief medication has the same warnings and precautions as taking plain aspirin, including blood-thinning effects. People under the age of 19 should not take aspirin because doing so has been linked to Reye’s syndrome — a condition that can damage the liver and brain — if taken in uncontrolled doses. Also, people with heart failure should avoid this medication due to its sodium content. The maximum recommended dose for Alka-Seltzer depends on the specific product. For example, don’t take more than 8 tablets of Alka-Seltzer Original per day if you’re between the ages of 12 and 60. And don’t take more than 4 tablets per day if you’re over 60. Each tablet contains:
Naproxen – worth it score: 78%Naproxen (Aleve), like ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, treats pain, swelling, and fever. The effects of naproxen are similar to those of ibuprofen, since they are both in the same medication class. However, naproxen lasts longer than ibuprofen. The half-life — or time it takes for a medication to lower to half of its starting dose in the body — is about 2 hours for ibuprofen and 12 to 17 hours for naproxen. This is why naproxen does not have to be taken as often as ibuprofen. Similar to ibuprofen, naproxen starts working in as little as 30 minutes. And the side effects are similar as well. But if you have kidney problems, you should avoid using it. The maximum daily dose of naproxen is 1,500 mg per day. Save on popular pain medicationsView allPromotion disclosure GoodRx Health information and resources is reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides. Promotion disclosure GoodRx Health information and resources is reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides. Acetaminophen – worth it score: 77%Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is relatively gentler on the stomach compared to other OTC pain medications. It’s very effective at relieving pain and reducing a fever. It’s also considered one of the best and safest OTC pain relief medications if used correctly. Acetaminophen starts working about an hour after you take it. But be sure to follow the dosing instructions because taking too much acetaminophen can cause severe liver damage. It’s especially easy to misjudge how much you’re taking if you’re using multiple medications that contain acetaminophen. For patients 12 and older, the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen is 4,000 mg per day. However, the manufacturer of Tylenol, Johnson & Johnson, recommends a maximum dose of 3,000 mg per day for Tylenol Extra Strength tablets. And according to the FDA, acetaminophen dosage depends on adults and adolescents’ body weight. Aspirin – worth it score: 76%Aspirin reduces fever, treats pain, and can protect the heart in people at risk for cardiovascular disease. Although aspirin is ranked as one of the best OTC pain reliever medications, it is most commonly recommended by healthcare providers for its heart benefits. Even though 3 out of 4 people think aspirin is worth it, this pain reliever thins the blood. So taking it on a regular basis can increase the chances of internal bleeding. Because of this, ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be safer alternatives for OTC pain relief and reducing a fever. As the recommended and maximum daily dosage for OTC aspirin varies greatly, it’s always best to talk with your healthcare provider before starting this medication. Benefits, possible risks, and side effects of the 5 best OTC pain medicationsAlthough the above medications are ranked the best for pain relief, they still can cause side effects. If you’re considering taking one of them, it might be helpful to review these effects. You should also be aware of special precautions, which we’ve summed up below. MedicationWhat it treatsRisks/side effectsIbuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Talk to a healthcare provider before taking if you have a history of:
Talk to a healthcare provider before taking if you have a history of:
Talk to a healthcare provider before taking if you have a history of:
Talk to a healthcare provider before taking if you have a history of:
A final note: While these OTC pain meds treat some types of pain, they are not nerve pain medications. If you think you may have nerve pain, talk with your healthcare provider about the best treatment option for you. The bottom lineThese five OTC pain relief medications can be effective for some types of pain, and they are readily available at the pharmacy. However, there are some precautions to be aware of with these pain relief medicines. You should always talk with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure which medication is best for you. GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines. Was this page helpful?thumb_up_outlinedthumb_down_outlined Subscribe and save.Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Enter your email to sign up.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. What over the counter medicine is best for swelling?Unlike acetaminophen, ibuprofen acts as an anti-inflammatory drug, which means it reduces inflammation and swelling.
What medicine reduces swelling fast?Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain, swelling, stiffness and inflammation. Two drugs in this category, ibuprofen and naproxen, also reduce fever.. Aspirin (Bayer® Aspirin, Ecotrin®, Excedrin®, St. ... . Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, and others). Ketoprofen (Orudis®). Naproxen (Aleve®). |
Over the counter meds to reduce swelling
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