[sidebar]True or false?
Acetaminophen is the best choice for when you have sore muscles, sunburn, or arthritis. False. Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) instead: ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen. NSAIDs (unlike acetaminophen) block production of prostaglandins, chemicals responsible for swelling that underlies these conditions.
Ibuprofen is the most effective pain reliever for children. True. A Canadian study found that ibuprofen relieved pain better than acetaminophen or codeine in children with broken bones or sprains. And kids should never take aspirin: It can cause rare but fatal brain damage in children with chickenpox or the flu.
You can be assured that you won’t overdose if you follow a drug’s dosing instructions. False. If you’re taking a painkiller plus a sinus or cough med that contains acetaminophen or NSAIDs, you could be getting double the dose you think you are.
Long-term use of painkillers can increase risk factors for heart attack and stroke. True. Frequent use of acetaminophen and NSAIDs raised the risk of high blood pressure up to 38% in a recent study. For many patients, though, the benefits outweigh the risk.
Pain pills that contain caffeine can be especially effective against headaches. True. Drugs with caffeine, like Excedrin, alleviate migraines faster than those without it. But for some people, caffeine can make a headache worse—so monitor symptoms carefully. More from Prevention: The Oddest Pain Relief Tricks That Work!
