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Pain Relief made simple.1

One question I frequently get asked is which type of pain reliever is best for me? While you don't need a prescription to take a few aspirin or advil, that does not mean that you are not taking serious medication--each with its own specific uses, benefits, and risks. In recent years, much research has shown that over the counter pain relievers may help prevent problems ranging from Parkinson's Disease to Prostate Cancer. The flip side is that overdoing any medication can also have negative effects, and certainly any medicine taken in excess can be dangerous. "Most people are not aware of the long term effects of over the counter abuse," said Dr. Mel Williams, a professor of medicine at the University of Alabama.

The following is a list of the main types of pain relievers, what they are best used for, and some benefits or risks to know about each one.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY; ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR BEFORE USING ANY MEDICATION FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.

ACETAMINOPHEN (TYLENOL): Best for beating headaches, fever, and general body aches. This medication is not usually the best choice for dental related pain, as it lacks anti-inflammatory properties, and inflammation is the source of most dental aches and pains. Never take more than 4000mg in a day, as liver damage is possible if dosage exceeds this amount.

ASPIRIN: Best for sore muscles, back pain, and good for dental pain as well (it does fight inflammation). Many believe that taking a small dose (100mg or less) daily can lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and may also prevent prostate cancer. The danger is that taking more than this 100mg dose may overly thin the blood and increase the risk of cranial bleeding.

NAPROXEN (ALEVE, NAPROSYN): Best for joint pain and arthritis. Since this drug is an anti-inflammatory, it can also be used for dental pain. Can reduce the risk of lung cancer when taken daily, BUT daily use can also increase the risk of sunburn and sensitivity to light.

IBUPROFEN (ADVIL, MOTRIN): I recommend this medication most frequently for dental related pain. Also good for fever, and other minor muscle aches and pains. Taking 200 mg daily may decrease the risk of Parkinson's Disease, but taking more than the maxium allowable dose (1200 mg) daily can lead to kidney failure.

As with all medications taken for the long term (ie. more than a few days), consult with your medical doctor to determine which medications might benefit you, and which ones you should avoid. Again, this article is for informational use only and should not be construed in any way as medical advice. All medications, when taken properly, offer tremendous benefits, but never forget the risks also associated with all medicines.

I hope this newsletter finds you in good health.

Have a great day!

Dr. Bard J. Levey