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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend July 24, 2006 Choosing painkillers doesn't have to be complex Can you explain the difference between Tylenol, aspirin, Aleve, Motrin, and Excedrin, as well as which one to use when? I do heavy yard work and sometimes I end up really sore at the end of the day, but I'm not sure which one to use. -- Carol, Butte Falls Many people get confused on the subject of brand name products and generic drugs, but over-the-counter pain relievers cause some of the deepest misunderstandings, says Dr. Dee Christlieb, a family physician in Ashland. Many pain-relief medicines are sold under several brand names, which only adds to the confusion, Christlieb says. Ibuprofen, for example, is sold under its own name, but the same drug is also marketed under brand names such as Advil and Motrin. Naproxen sodium is sold under its own name and also under well-known brands such as Aleve and Naprosyn. Acetaminophen is sold under the Tylenol brand as well as its generic name. Some brand names have been around so long that they have become generic names themselves. Aspirin, for example, was originally a trademarked name for acetylsalicylic acid (a compound first isolated from willow bark), which is also an active ingredient in the pain reliever called Excedrin. Christlieb says choosing the right pain reliever depends on the condition you're trying to treat. Many of the nonprescription pain relievers can also reduce inflammation, which makes them useful for treating a problem such as a sprained ankle, in which there is swelling (inflammation) as well as pain. "You want something that reduces pain and inflammation at the same time," Christlieb says. For that hypothetical sprained ankle, aspirin or ibuprofen or naproxen sodium may be a better choice than Tylenol (acetaminophen) which does not reduce inflammation. Like any medicine, pain relievers may have some side effects. Some people are allergic to aspirin, while others find that some of the other newer anti-inflammatories may also upset their stomach. Christlieb says people who are allergic to aspirin may also be sensitive to other anti-inflammatories. They may also want to avoid other anti-inflammatory drugs and stick with Tylenol for pain relief. Pain relievers may also aggravate other conditions. People who have gastroesophageal reflux disease, for example, may find that pain relievers worsen that condition. Finding a pain reliever that works without side effects becomes a trial-and-error exercise for many people, Christlieb says. "Some say Aleve works for them. Others say Motrin. What works for one person may not work for others." Taking too much of any over-the-counter pain reliever can cause problems. Exceeding the recommended daily dose of Tylenol (4,000 milligrams per day, or eight extra-strength tablets) may cause liver damage. For the ibuprofen drugs, the maximum dose shouldn't exceed 2,400 milligrams in 24 hours, and for the naproxen sodium drugs, 1,500 milligrams per day is tops. Check the manufacturer's information (inside in the packaging) for maximum dosages. Higher dosages may sometimes be used, but only after consulting a physician. Also, one can combine Tylenol with one of the other anti-inflammatories for additional pain relief, but one should never combine two anti-inflammatories. Even aspirin intake should be limited, Christlieb says. Taking more than 10 or 12 tablets per day can cause stomach irritation or severe ringing in the ears. Call Bill Kettler with your medical questions at 776-4492, or e-mail them to: [email protected] or send them to: Mail Tribune, Ask Your Doctors, P.O. Box 1108, Medford OR 97501. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews