This article is from AARP magazine. 1. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Midol), Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan) |
What they are: |
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) that reduce fever and block prostaglandins, compounds that cause pain and inflammation |
Best for: |
Headaches, musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, toothaches, backaches, sunburn. These are safer choices than aspirin for those with bleeding risks. |
|
Don’t use for: |
Nerve pain |
|
| Avoid if: | You take blood thinners or have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart failure, or a history of ulcers or liver or kidney disease. | |
| 2. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, FeverAll, Panadol) | ||
| What they are: | An analgesic and antifever medication that works in the brain to reduce mild to moderate pain by changing the way the body senses pain | |
| Best for: | Headaches, muscle aches, sore throat, toothaches, backaches, and sprains and strains. Best painkiller for people with GI issues | |
| Don’t use for: | Nerve pain or inflammatory conditions like arthritis | |
| Avoid if: | You are a heavy drinker. Take no more than 4,000 mg daily to avoid liver issues. | |
| 3. Aspirin | ||
| What they are: | An NSAID that stops the production of prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation. It also reduces fever and blood clotting. | |
| Best for: | Headaches, arthritis, toothaches, muscle aches, sprains, strains. It’s also the only NSAID that reduces heart attack and stroke risk, though adults 60 and older should not start an aspirin regimen to lower their risk of a first heart attack or stroke, new guidelines say. | |
| Don’t use for: | Wounds or bruises (aspirin may promote bleeding) or nerve pain (it just won’t touch it) | |
| Avoid if: | You take blood thinners or have uncontrolled high blood pressure, kidney disease, or ulcers or other bleeding risks. | |
| 4. Topical pain relievers | ||
| What they are: | Anesthetics that temporarily relieve pain at the skin’s surface. A topical NSAID called diclofenac sodium topical gel 1 percent can be effective for joint pain. | |
| Best for: | Neuropathic pain, nerve pain, sunburn, joint pain and soft-tissue injuries | |
| Don’t use for: | Wounds, open sores, headaches, toothaches | |
| Avoid if: | You are allergic to lidocaine. If you have liver or heart issues, don’t use the medication without consulting your doctor. | |
| Don’t forget to talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking — even the over-the-counter variety. Just because they are available without a prescription doesn’t mean they are free of potentially harmful side effects and drug interactions. | ||
 |
This is a cream inside a plastic tube. It is 2.5oz It’s scientifically formulated with Arnica and Harpagophytum (devil’s claw), which work together to reduce minor stiffness, soreness, and joint pain of arthritis.* This fragrance-free cream quickly absorbs into skin to take away pain at its source without any stinging or burning sensation. It’s suitable for use on all joints and there’s no need to measure what you apply, unlike diclofenac sodium gels. Move more with less pain with the plant-powered relief of Arnicare Arthritis Cream. |
|
  |
Those of you that have strains or sprains, this combination can really help the pain.
This combination is recommended by Nancy R. It was recommended to her by her Rheumatologist She first rubs on the Voltaren and then rubs on the Biofreeze and says she gets instant relief. Important note: Voltaren is a topical form of ibuprofen so do not take ibuprofen and use Voltaren at the same time. |
|