Drug

Type

Mechanism

For relief of these symptoms

Acetaminophen

fever, osteoarthritis, cold symptoms and

minor pain (headache, backache)

Aspirin

NSAID

headache,
fever,
muscle
pain,
osteoarthritis,
rheumatioid
arthritis,
tootache, backache, menstrual cramps

Ibuprofen

NSAID

headache,
fever,
muscle
pain,
osteoarthritis,
rheumatioid
arthritis,
tootache, backache, menstrual cramps

Naproxen sodium

NSAID

headache,
fever,
muscle
pain,
osteoarthritis,
rheumatioid
arthritis,
tootache, backache, menstrual cramps

Celecoxib

selective NSAID

osteoarthritis, adult rheumatoid arthritis,

primary dysmenorrhea, acute pain (such
as after surgery or dental work)

Valdecoxib

selective NSAID

osteoarthritis, adult rheumatoid arthritis,

primary dysmenorrhea

Special precautions
it won't relieve swelling or inflammation,
ask yor MD if you have liver disease,
cirrhosis or hepatitis
skip if you're allergic, have an ulcer,
recurrent heartburn, use other pain pills
or are in the last trimester, talk to your
MD if you have 3 or more drinks a day or
have asthma

Possible side effects

Possible drug interactions
can lead to liver problems if you
safe to take with most
take too much or if you drink
prescription drugs
alcohol in excess

skip if you're in the last trimester or are

taking aspirin for your heart, avoid if you
have an ulcer, use other painkillers, have
had an allergic reaction to pain relievers

heartburn, stomach upset or

pain,
may
cause
allergic
same as above
reactions, bruising and, if you
take too much, stomach bleeding

stomach upset, can cause allergic anticoagulants,

lithium,
reactions, bleeding problems and drugs that treat diabetes,
Reye's syndrome in kids
gout, arthritis, hypertension

heartburn,
stomach
upset,
skip if you're in the last trimester, allergic
bruising and, if you take too same as above
to it or using other painkillers
much, stomach bleeding
skip if you're allergic to aspirin or sulfa
drugs, have aspirin-sensitive asthma, or
are in late pregnancy, tell your MD if you
drink alcohol, have a history of
hypertension, ulcers, heart disease,
kidney, liver or bleeding problems

indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal

pain, may also cause respiratory lithium,
diuretics,
infection, headache, dizziness, methotrexate,
rifampin,
nausea, back pain, ulcers, theophylline, ACE inhibitors
sleeplessness, allergic reactions

indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal

skip if you are allergic to NSAIDs or sulfa
pain,
respiratory
infection,
drugs, have advanced kidney disease or
headache, dizziness, nausea, same as above
aspirin-sensitive asthma, or are in late
back pain, ulcers, sleeplessness,
pregnancy
allergic reactions