| Drug Name |
Available Over The Counter |
Uses |
Mechanism of Action |
Side Effects - Serious |
Side Effects - Common |
Side Effects - Less Common |
Concerns |
| Acetaminophen / Aspirin / Caffeine (Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine) |
Yes |
treatment of mild to moderate pain, arthritis, migraine headache |
interferes with prostaglandins (substances within the body which cause inflammation and sensitize nerves to pain) |
difficulty swallowing, lightheadedness, fainting, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, acute decrease in
urine output |
indigestion, nausea, vomiting |
sleeping difficulty, nervousness, irritability |
intended for short term use |
| Aspirin (Aspergum, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Empirin) |
Yes |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation; to reduce fever; decrease incidence of blood clots; |
interferes with the release of prostaglandins (chemicals in the body which cause inflammation and make nerves
more sensitive) |
vomiting, agitation, fatigue, confusion, swelling of face; Reye's syndrome (allergic reaction causing swelling
of face, lips and eyelids)
|
nausea, rash, ringing in the ears |
insomnia |
do not give to children under 16 years of age, unless instructed by your doctor; notify your doctor before any
surgery as it may cause increased bleeding |
| Diclofenac Systemic (Cataflam, Voltaren) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinits, arthritis, gout, soft tissue injury |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins ( cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
|
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds well before surgery |
| Diflunisal (Dolobid) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, soft tissue injuries |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins ( cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
|
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds well before surgery |
|
Drug Name |
Available Over The Counter |
Uses |
Mechanism of Action |
Side Effects - Serious |
Side Effects - Common |
Side Effects - Less Common |
Concerns |
| Etodolac (Lodine) |
No |
treatment of mild to moderate pain and inflammation from tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, gout, soft tissue injuries,
migraines, vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
interferes with the formation of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation and sensitize nerves to pain impulses |
shortness of breath, swelling of legs, ulcers, tarry stools |
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
sores in mouth, depression, rashes, ringing in ears, blurred vision |
may interfere with blood coagulation (stop 3 days before surgery); prolonged use may cause gastrointestinal problems,
ulcers, bleeding, kidney and liver dysfunction |
| Fenoprofen Calcium (Nalfon) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction |
| Flurbiprofen Oral (Ansaid, Froben) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins ( cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction |
| Ibuprofen (Advil, Excedrin Ib, Genpril, Ibuprin, Midol Ib, Motrin, Nuprin, Pamprin Ib) |
Yes |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins ( cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction |
|
Drug Name |
Available Over The Counter |
Uses |
Mechanism of Action |
Side Effects - Serious |
Side Effects - Common |
Side Effects - Less Common |
Concerns |
| Ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail) |
Yes |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins ( cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
|
|
|
|
| Meclofenamate Sodium (Meclomen) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins ( cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction |
| Mefenamic Acid (Ponstan) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins ( cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction |
| Nabumetone (Relafen) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins (cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, kidney and liver
dysfunction |
|
Drug Name |
Available Over The Counter |
Uses |
Mechanism of Action |
Side Effects - Serious |
Side Effects - Common |
Side Effects - Less Common |
Concerns |
| Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn) |
Yes |
minor pain or inflammation associated with headaches, common cold, toothache, muscle aches, backache, arthritis,
gout, tendinitis, bursitis, menstrual cramps |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins (cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, kidney and liver dysfunction |
| Oxaprozin (Daypro) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins (cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction |
| Piroxicam (Feldene) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
interferes with formation of prostaglandins (cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive) |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction |
| Sulindac (Clinoril) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
inhibits blood coagulation, and may increase bleeding at surgery; stop meds 3 days before surgery; prolonged
use may cause gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, kidney and liver dysfunction |
| Tolmectin Sodium (Tolectin) |
No |
mild to moderate pain and inflammation caused by tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, bout, soft tissue injury, migraines,
vascular headaches, menstrual cramps |
shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, headache |
ulcers or sores in mouth, rashes or blistering of skin, ringing sound in ears, tingling of hands or feet, seizures,
blurred vision |
|
|
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