Pain Relievers

    When aches, pains or injuries strike, today's athlete is confronted with a variety of choices in selecting a pain reliever. Over the counter choices include Motrin, Excedrin, Bayer, Bufferin, Aleve, Tylenol, Nuprin, Datril, Panadol, St. Joseph's, Empirin, generics, brand names, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen sodium...and on and on and on. What does one choose?

    Today there are over 700 pain reliever products sold over the counter that either use ingredients or dosages that were available only by prescription 30 years ago. This has resulted in easy access to far more effective pain relief than previously was available. However with the increase in effectiveness and strength of medications it has become more important to also read and follow the label directions when using the products. Also, if medical conditions preexist or other medications are prescribed a physician should be consulted about the propriety of pain reliever usage. 

    Today's over the counter pain medications are generally divided into two types which limit pain in different ways:

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal antinflammatory drugs)
  • Inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins (groups of complex fatty acids present in the body that act as messenger substances between cells).
  • Include drug types:
    • Ibuprofin
    • Naproxen sodium
    • Aspirin

   

• Acetaminophen based medications
  • Suppress the body’s production of certain chemicals that create pain sensations in centers in the brain.

    Experts generally agree that virtually all of the available options will provide pain relief effectively, but are incapable of being ranked according to effectiveness. There simply are no predictors for which product will work most effectively for a particular individual. There are however certain attributes peculiar to the medications that should be taken into account in choosing a specific type of pain reliever for a particular purpose. Examine the product label to determine the active pain relief ingredient.

Ibuprofin Common Brands: Motrin Advil Nuprin Indicated Uses: Swelling and Inflammation Fever Muscle Pain Headache Backache Arthritis Contraindications: Stomach Irritation and/or Bleeding May Occur Prostaglandin inhibition limits production of natural stomach coatings Aspirin Allergy Congestive Heart Problems Kidney Problems Ulcers Diuretic Usage Anti-Coagulant Medication Usage
Naproxen Sodium Common Brands Aleve Indicated Uses: Swelling and Inflammation Fever Muscle Pain Headache Backache Arthritis Contraindications: Stomach Irritation and/or Bleeding May Occur Prostaglandin inhibition limits production of natural stomach coatings Aspirin Allergy Congestive Heart Problems Kidney Problems Ulcers Diuretic Usage Anti-Coagulant Medication Usage Not Recommended for Children
Aspirin Common Brands Bayer Bufferin St. Joseph's Indicated Uses: Fever - except in children Muscle Pain Headache Backache Arthritis Heart Attack and Stroke Preventative Acts as a blood thinner and irreversibly binds blood platelets thereby limiting blood clotting. Contraindications: Child Under 18 May result in development of Reye's Syndrome in children, a potentially fatal condition. Stomach Irritation and/or Bleeding May Occur Prostaglandin inhibition limits production of natural stomach coatings Aspirin Allergy
Acetaminophen Common Brands Tylenol Datril Panadol Indicated Uses: Fever Muscle Pain Headache Backache Arthritis Contraindications: Liver Problems
Excedrin Created by combining aspirin and acetaminophen For Indicated Uses and Contraindications please review aspirin and acetaminophen reviews.

In summary, for the high school athlete the general pain reliever medication recommendation is for

• Common muscle aches and pains
  • Acetaminophen based product, such as Tylenol, or
  • Ibuprofin based product, such as Motrin

   

• Injuries including sprains, strains, and other swelling
  • Ibuprofin