A topic that my lovely wife has always wanted me to write about is the difference between OTC pain relievers.  People will often tell me that their provider has recommended that they take Tylenol, and after quizzing them about the medication, I find out that they are taking ibuprofen instead. Today's article will identify the most common OTC pain relievers and discuss some natural options.

The first thing to tackle is the names of each OTC pain reliever. I mentioned Tylenol above, and that is the brand name for acetaminophen. Aspirin is relatively easy to figure out, but the most common one to consider is the Bayer brand.  It is more confusing regarding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs because there are several, with ibuprofen being the most common. The brand names for ibuprofen are Advil, Motrin, and Midol. Another NSAID is naproxen which also goes by Aleve or Naprosyn. 

Why is it so important to know the difference between each pain reliever?  

The answer is that they all have a distinct mechanism of action. Pain relief started with aspirin, a derivative of white willow bark. Aspirin was discovered in 1899 by the Bayer company. It remained the most popular OTC pain reliever until acetaminophen was found in 1956 and ibuprofen in 1962, when its popularity diminished due to the new competition. 

The properties of aspirin include its use as a pain reliever, it used to routinely be used as an antipyretic or fever reducer, and anti-inflammatory, and it has antiplatelet or blood thinning properties. Its use in children is contraindicated due to the potential for Rye Syndrome. These many mechanisms of action make it the most critical OTC pain reliever. 

If aspirin is not taken correctly, it can wreak the most havoc on the system.  The most common concern is that it can irritate the stomach leading to ulcers and bleeding. 

Acetaminophen was the second OTC pain reliever to come on the market.  Tylenol is one of the most recognizable names in the drug world. The properties of Tylenol are pain reliever and fever reduction. It is used in infants to keep fevers in check and in older adults for pain control of osteoarthritis.

One of the biggest concerns with Tylenol is taking too much, which can potentially cause liver failure and, in some cases, death. 

The OTC NSAIDs ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen can be beneficial for pain, inflammation, and fever.  This group of medications is most often used for general pain and inflammation. Each started as a prescription product, and the FDA eventually approved them for OTC use, opening many options for patients with pain and inflammation.

Long-term use of NSAIDs can adversely affect the kidneys, cause GI upset and ulcerations, and has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, and blood clots.  Just looking at ibuprofen which is available in tablet form as a 200mg dose while the prescription dose goes up to 800mg tablets which can be taken four times a day or 3600mg daily. I know people who routinely take a handful of ibuprofen to treat pain/inflammation. This is not a healthy way to dose this medication and can lead to unforeseen side effects.

The OTC pain relievers have some great benefits, but some risks associated with taking them, which leaves the door open to discussing some natural alternatives. The one that comes to mind first is one that I have spoken about on many occasions, curcumin.

 Curcumin is the active ingredient of turmeric, a root often used in Eastern Indian cooking. Curcumin in turmeric accounts for only about 5-10 percent active ingredient, and only about 10% is absorbed systemically. 

If you want to use turmeric as an anti-inflammatory for your gut, the delivery system doesn't make a difference; however, if you're going to achieve a systemic or whole-body effect, you will want to take a highly absorbed product with some liposomal delivery system. 

Another natural option is the shotgun approach which has several nutrients packed into a single formulation. One of my favorites includes ginger root, curcumin, Boswellia, white willow bark, hops extract, and devil's claw extract. Each ingredient has pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory properties, and taking one formulation with Inflam-Eze Plus, over six different products is much easier.

These natural products can achieve a similar effect to the commercially available alternatives, and they can do it with a lower risk of side effect potential, making them great options for your pain and inflammation needs. 

If you need help with OTC pain supplements, call the pharmacy @ 701-483-4858 or stop in to schedule a consultation. Please visit my website at www.irsfeldpharmacy.com to find this and other archived articles in the blog section.

Until next time, be vigilant about your health!!!