NSAIDs – NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
→ Aspirin (ASA – acetylsalicylic acid) – Bayer
→ Ibuprofen – Advil, Motrin
→ Naproxen – Aleve
→ Diclofenac – Voltaren
→ Celecoxib – Celebrex
(1) Also called Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents/Analgesics (NSAIAs) or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs)
(2) Provides analgesic (pain-killing) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects, and, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory effects
(3) Nonsteroidal distinguishes these drugs from steroids, which have a similar eicosanoid-depressing, anti-inflammatory action
(4) As analgesics, NSAIDs are unusual in that they are non-narcotic and thus are used as a non-addictive alternative to narcotics.
(5) NSAID identification on label of generic ibuprofen: OTC NSAID
(6) The most prominent members of this group, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, are all available over the counter in most countries
(7) NSAIDs, particularly aspirin, may cause gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers
PAIN RELIEVERS
→ Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
(1) Relieves mild to moderate pain from headaches, muscle aches, menstrual periods, colds, sore throats, toothaches, backaches, reactions to vaccinations (shots), and reduces fever
(2) Acetaminophen may also be used to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by the breakdown of the lining of the joints)
(3) Acetaminophen is in a class of medications called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers)
(4) Generally not considered an NSAID because it has only little anti-inflammatory activity
(5) It treats pain mainly by blocking COX-2 mostly in the central nervous system, but not much in the rest of the body
(6) It works by changing the way the body senses pain and by cooling the body
