Over-The-Counter (OTC)

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen or paracetamol (in Europe) is a non prescription, mild-to-moderate pain reliever and fever reducer that is harmless at low doses. Acetaminophen can treat a variety of conditions including: arthritis, backaches, headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, colds, and fevers. Common side effects may include nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, headaches, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice. More serious side effects can include: allergic reactions such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, skin redness or rashes that spread, blister, and peel. You should avoid acetaminophen if you are allergic to it, have severe liver disease, or drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages daily. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

To learn more about acetaminophen please visit Drugs.com or Rx List

Aspirin

Aspirin (salicylate) is a non-prescription, mild-to-moderate medication that blocks cox-2 enzymes responsible for pain, fever, and inflammation. It is often used to treat back, neck, and joint pain, or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain. Common side effects may include: upset stomach, heartburn, drowsiness, and mild headaches. More serious side effects can include: ringing in your ears, hallucinations, rapid breathing, seizure, bloody or tarry stools, continued pain, allergic reactions such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800- FDA-1088.

To learn more about aspirin please visit Drugs.com or RX List.

Anti-Inflammatory

Anti-Inflammatory medications reduce inflammation, fever, and pain by blocking cox-1 and cox- 2 enzymes. Anti-inflammatory medications are often used to treat backaches, headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, coughs, colds, and fevers. Common side effects from taking antiinflammatory medications may include: vomiting, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, reduced appetite, headache, dizziness, rash, drowsiness, swelling of the arms, and legs. More serious side effects can include ulcers, bleeding, kidney failure, and in some instances liver failure. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

To learn more about anti-inflammatory medications please visit Drugs.com or RX List.