Your opinion of the best OTC pain medicines?

Question

I personally have them ranked (from most to least effective): Advil/Motrin, Aleve, Aspirin/Tylenol combos (Excedrin), Tylenol, Aspirin.

The reason I have Advil ranked first is because of the flexibility that you have with it. For example, if you have a minor headache, you can take 400mg and be fine. On the other hand, if you have a more serious injury, you can take 800mg at a time, and that 800mg is probably more effective than codeine, and even touching into lower dose Vicodin territory for effectiveness (in my opinion).

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

My opinion is Advil/Motrin is the best. However, I prefer to use generic Ibuprofen ... BTW... 200 mg is the recommended dose of Ibuprofen for most simple pain... 400 to 800 mg should be used for very short periods because it will tear up your stomach if you use it in high doses for long periods.. I use if for back pain, muscle pain, and headaches. I prefer it over prescription pain meds for most items..

I rarely use Tylenol, Excedrin has Caffeine in it also. However, aspirin is acceptable for most headaches.

Answer 2

Of course, I wouldn't give aspirin to any child because of reyes' syndrome.

I usually use ibuprofen for most things. It is a good general pain reliever and works better than most for muscular/joint pain. Take it with caffiene, and it'll reach the injury much faster.

Tylenol is what I use for viruses, fevers, general illness. Again, I take it with caffiene.

The best pain killer, short of Vicodin, is taking ibuprofen, then 3 hours later, taking tylenol, then 3 hours later taking ibuprofen...etc.

My family can't take vicodin---it gives them GI problems. So even with broken bones, we use good old ibuprofen, 800 mg at a time.

My thoughts.

debbie

Answer 3

Personally I like Excedrin for headaches and ibuprofen for muscle pain. I can not take Aleve,(naproxin) which should not be combined with other pain relievers . Also, never take Tylenol (acetaminophen) if you have alcohol in your system, it can do liver damage.

Answer 4

i think they all work well but if i had to choose it would be excedrin

Answer 5

i use excedrin migraine for everything. it works great.