PlanetRx - Learn More - Product Advice - Fever Reducers, Adult

Pain, pain go away

Let's consider what brings on a headache. Stressful workdays filled with deadlines and too much work to do. Family obligations, with all that running around and problem solving and doing everything for everybody except yourself. And let's not forget muscle tension, back pain, sleep deprivation, physical strain, mental strain, a hangover, or the dreaded caffeine withdrawal. Just reading about all the causes can give you a headache.

Luckily, though, a headache is often easily remedied with an over-the-counter analgesic or pain reliever.

Where Does It Hurt?

Since most people can't afford to take time out of their busy schedules to recuperate from pain, many turn to over-the-counter medication for relief from headaches, muscle aches, and fever.

Heads Up! Pain Relief Is on Its Way

Almost everyone gets a headache at some point, and whether it's caused by too much red wine the night before or simple job stress, over-the-counter medications offer some relief from the pain. Don't forget, though: if your headache is tension-induced, a pain reliever won't remove the cause, so your headache is likely to return.

If you suffer from frequent headaches localized in the forehead (high-blood-pressure headaches) or severe, throbbing pain with visual changes (migraine headaches), see a doctor. If you're suffering from a run-of-the-mill tension headache, the National Headache Foundation in Chicago recommends aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.

What to Take When You Can't Take It Anymore

When you're run-down, tired, and stressed out, your body is vulnerable to infection and illness. While they may not be serious, fever and muscle aches can sideline you temporarily. It's your body's way of telling you to take a break and slow down. Listen to your body. And when you need some extra relief, there are plenty of pain relievers out there that will do the job.

There is no hard and fast rule in deciding what medication to take to relieve your pain. It depends on your current health status, liver function, kidney function, and allergies (just to mention some of the factors). Many pain relievers combine analgesic, antipyretic, and antirheumatic properties, meaning they relieve pain, fever, and inflammation, respectively. Keeping all this in mind, here is some advice that may be helpful in finding the right medication for you.

Taking pain relievers with food can help reduce the stomach upset you may experience from NSAIDs, aspirin, and salicylates. In fact, frequent ingestion of NSAIDs or salicylates without food can cause you to develop an ulcer.
Never give aspirin to children or teenagers -- it has been associated with the rare, but often fatal, Reye's syndrome. Naproxen and ketoprofen have not yet been approved for children; use only acetaminophen or ibuprofen for kids. Arthritis is usually not a condition of the very young. Check with your doctor if your child is complaining of arthritis-like symptoms.
Acetaminophen can reduce arthritis pain, but it does not have an effect on inflammation. It may, however, be the only option for those allergic to aspirin or NSAIDs or who have other medical problems. Acetaminophen has fewer side effects than the other over-the-counter analgesics. However, prolonged use may increase your risk or liver damage.
Aspirin -- acetylsalicylic acid -- is very effective at reducing mild to moderate pain associated with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, and helps reduce inflammation.
Other salicylic acids, such as choline, magnesium, or sodium salicylate, may also be effective at relieving pain and helping reduce inflammation. While all three of these salicylates are less effective than aspirin, they have many of the same side effects -- and they may be less irritating to your stomach.
Ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen are all NSAIDs which offer relief from pain and fever. In addition, they also relieve inflammation.
If you experience pain for more than 10 days or fever for more than three days, consult a doctor. These may be signs of a more serious underlying condition or infection.

Analgesics (acetaminophen)

Reduces pain and fever but has no anti-inflammatory activity. Acts directly on the central nervous system to block pain messages.

Analgesics (NSAID)

NSAIDs, also known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, are a class of drugs that reduce inflammation and pain. Commonly used in the treatment of arthritic pain, they work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, chemicals linked to pain sensations and inflammation in the body. NSAIDs available without a prescription include ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen.

Analgesics (salicylate)

A class of drugs which reduce fever and relieve pain. Includes aspirin, choline salicylate, magnesium salicylate tetrahydrate, and magnesium salicylate. They work by blocking the production of prostagladins, chemicals linked to pain sensations and inflammation in the body.

Ingredient		Description
Analgesics (Acetaminophen)
Acetaminophen		Safe and effective for treating minor aches and pains. If you have liver disease, consult a doctor before taking this drug.
Analgesics (NSAID)
Ingredient		Description
Ibuprofen		Effective in relieving moderate pain and inflammation. Should not be used by people with gastrointestinal or bleeding disorders, or people taking blood thinners.
Naproxen		Effective in relieving moderate pain. Works longer (8 to 12 hours) than ibuprofen and ketoprofen. Should not be used by children under age 12, people with gastrointestinal or bleeding disorders, or people taking blood thinners.
Ketoprofen		Effective in relieving moderate pain. Should not be used by anyone under age 16, people with gastrointestinal or bleeding disorders, or people taking blood thinners.
Analgesics (Salicylate)
Ingredient		Description
Aspirin (Acetasalicylic Acid)		Useful in treatment of mild pain symptoms only. Does not have much of an effect on prostaglandin production. Present in many over-the-counter analgesics. Never administer to children with flu-like symptoms or fever due to the risk of the rare, but fatal, Reye's syndrome.
Choline Salicylate		A salicylate salt comparable to aspirin. Less irritating to the stomach.
Magnesium Salicylate		Comparable to aspirin but less potent and less irritating to the stomach.
Potassium Salicylate (conditionally approved)		Similar to magnesium and sodium salicylate. Safe and effective for minor pain relief.
Sodium Salicylate		A salicylate salt comparable to aspirin. Be cautious about using if you are on a low sodium diet. Not commonly found in nonprescription products.

FDA-Approved Uses

Pain and fever relievers

For the temporary relief of minor aches and pains associated with a cold, flu, sore throat, headache, toothache, muscular aches, backache, the premenstrual and menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea), and arthritis. Also reduces fever.

Recommended Dosage

Drug	Adults & Children Over Age 12	Max. Daily	Children Ages 6 to 12	Max. Daily	Children Under Age 6	Max. Daily
Analgesic (Acetaminophen)
Acetaminophen	650 - 1000 mg every 4 to 6 hrs	4000 mg	Refer to package or consult a physician		Refer to package or consult a physician
Analgesic (NSAID)
Drug	Adults & Children Over Age 12	Max. Daily	Children Ages 6 to 12	Max. Daily	Children Under Age 6	Max. Daily
Ibuprofen	200 to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hrs	1200 mg	Refer to package or consult a physician		Refer to package or consult a physician
Naproxen	200 mg every 8 to 12 hrs 200 every 12 hrs if over 65	600 mg 400 mg if over 65	Not recommended		Not recommended
Ketoprofen	12.5 mg every 4 to 6 hrs A second dose may be taken after one hour if needed. Not recommended for those age 16 and under.	75 mg	Not recommended		Not recommended
Analgesic (Salicylates)
Drug	Adults & Children Over Age 12	Max. Daily	Children Ages 6 to 12	Max. Daily	Children Under Age 6	Max. Daily
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)	650-1000mg every 4 to 6 hrs Not recommended for those age 16 and under.	4000 mg	Not recommended		Not recommended
Choline salicylate	870 mg every 3 to 4 hrs Not recommended for those age 16 and under.	5220 mg	Not recommended		Not recommended
Magnesium salicylate	650 mg every 4 hours or 1000 three times daily Not recommended for those age 16 and under.	3000 mg	Not recommended		Not recommended
Sodium salicylate	325 to 650 mg every 4 hrs Not recommended for those age 16 and under.	4000 mg	Not recommended		Not recommended

Warnings

Analgesic (acetaminophen)

Consult a physician before using or do not use if you have:

Alcoholism
Allergy to acetaminophen or any component in acetaminophen products
Kidney impairment
Liver impairment

Or if you:

Are pregnant or a nursing mother
Are a senior; you may require a lower dosage
Plan to use more frequently or at higher than recommended doses
Still have a fever after three days
Are using to treat symptoms for more than 10 days in adults
Are using to treat symptoms for more than five days in children

Or if you are taking:

Chronic alcohol use: may increase the risk for acetaminophen-induced liver damage
Isoniazid (Nydrazid): may increase the risk for acetaminophen-induced liver damage
Phenobarbital (Luminal): may increase the risk for acetaminophen-induced liver damage
Phenytoin (Dilantin): may increase the risk for acetaminophen-induced liver damage
Sulfinpyrazone (Anturane): may increase the risk for acetaminophen-induced liver damage
Warfarin (Coumadin): use of high dose acetaminophen might increase the risk of bleeding

Analgesic (NSAID)

Consult a physician before using or do not use if you have:

A seizure disorder
Anemia
Allergies to any NSAID or any component
Bleeding problems
Diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Kidney impairment
Liver impairment
Parkinson's disease
Ulcers or other gastrointestinal problems

Or if you:

Are pregnant or a nursing mother
Are a senior; you may require a lower dosage
Are on a low salt diet
Plan to have surgery; stop its use three days before the procedure
Plan to use for an extended period of time or at a higher dose

Or if you are taking:

Cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmune): may increase kidney damage
Digoxin (Lanoxin): may increase digoxin levels and effect when ibuprofen is also used
Furosemide (Lasix): may decrease furosemide levels when ibuprofen or ketoprofen is also used
Lithium (Lithobid): may increase lithium levels or effect
Methotrexate (Folex): may increase methotrexate levels and effect
Other NSAIDs: increases NSAID side effects
Phenytoin (Dilantin): may increase phenytoin levels or effect when ibuprofen is also used
Probenecid (Benemid): may increase NSAID levels and side effects
Salicylates, such as
- Aspirin (Ecotrin): may decrease NSAID levels and increase NSAID side effects
- Choline salicylate (Arthopan): may decrease NSAID levels and increase NSAID side effects
Warfarin (Coumadin): may increase warfarin side effects and the risk of bleeding

Analgesic (salicylate)

Consult a physician before using or do not use if you have:

Allergy to aspirin or other salicylate
Asthma
Blood clotting disorders
Kidney impairment
Liver impairment
Nasal polyps
Ulcers or other gastrointestinal problems

Or if you:

Are a child or teenager with a viral illness; salicylates may increase the risk of developing Reye's syndrome
Are pregnant or a nursing mother
Are a senior; you may require a lower dosage
Are on a low-salt diet
Experience ringing in the ears; consult a physician
Note that the drug has a vinegar-like odor; the pill may have decomposed
Plan to have surgery; stop use seven days before the procedure
Plan to use for an extended period of time or at a higher dose

Or if you taking:

Urinary acidifiers, such as:

Ammonium chloride: decreases salicylate removal
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C): decreases salicylate removal

ACE inhibitors, such as:

Benazepril (Lotensin): may decrease benazepril effects
Enalapril (Vasotec): may decrease enalapril effects

Alcohol: increases the risk of stomach ulceration and bleeding
Antacids: may decrease salicylate effects
Beta blockers, such as:

Atenolol (Tenormin): may decrease atenolol effects
Metoprolol (Lopressor): may decrease metoprolol effects

Corticosteroids, such as:

Cortisone (Cortef): may decrease salicylate levels
Methylprednisone (Medrol): may decrease salicylate levels

Heparin (Hep-Lock): increases risk of bleeding
Methotrexate (Folex): may increase methotrexate levels and side effects
Other salicylates: increases salicylate side effects
Valproic Acid (Depakote): may increase valproic acid effects
Warfarin (Coumadin): may increase warfarin side effects and the risk of bleeding