Understanding Common Pain Killers

With so many different over-the-counter painkillers to choose from, many people are confused about which ones to use.

They don't all work the same warns The Saturday Early Show's Dr. Mallika Marshall. But the most important thing is for consumers to find something that offers good pain relief without too many side effects.

Different people may have success with different pain-relievers for the same ailment. But it's probably a good idea to keep a few over-the-counters pain killers in your medicine cabinet.

Here are some of the most common over-the-counter painkillers and what pains they work best on.

Excedrin
Excedrin is a combination of caffeine, acetaminophen and aspirin. The caffeine in it can be particularly helpful for certain types of headaches, such as migraines. Although, in some people the caffeine has a paradoxical effect and can actually make the headache worse, so keep that in mind.

Aspirin
It's sold under names such as Bayer, Bufferin and Ecotrin. Aspirin is both a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, and it is best used for headaches and joint pains. It also acts as a blood thinner, making it helpful for those with heart disease.

But because of its blood-thinning properties it can lead to serious bleeding complications, so some people shouldn't take aspirin. It also shouldn't be given to kids with a fever because it can cause a serious brain disorder called Reyes Syndrome.

NSAIDs
NSAIDs stands for Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Common examples are Ibuprofen which is found in Advil and Motrin, as well as Naprosyn, the active ingredient in Aleve. Like aspirin, they are very effective at treating menstrual cramps, as well as joint and muscle pain. They also can help relieve headache.

Like aspirin, these medications can cause stomach irritation and shouldn't be taken by people with kidney disease.

Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is commonly sold under the brand name Tylenol. Unlike aspirin and other NSAIDs, it does not have anti-inflammatory properties, but is still a good choice for headaches and arthritis pain. An added benefit of acetaminophen is that it doesn't irritate the stomach lining like NSAIDs.

Acetaminophen is the least likely to cause side effects. But it is cleared by the liver, so heavy drinkers and those with liver problems should avoid taking it. Also Tylenol overdoses are very dangerous and can lead to liver damage and even death.

It is alright to take the generic forms of these drugs. They work just as well and are cheaper.

If you have recurrent episodes of pain such as migraines, arthritis or lower back pain your doctor may give you a prescription. However, prescription pain relievers often carry a higher risk of side effects.