I am asking for something for a headache - this is the daily request of thousands of people to the pharmacist.
We get a long list of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to choose from.
We find among them well-known acetosalicylic acid and slightly younger representatives of painkillers - paracetamol, ibuprofen and naproxen. Which one to choose? Each of these drugs has its strengths and weaknesses depending on the purpose for which we want to use it.
paracetamol
This drug is known for its effectiveness in the treatment of headache, teeth, muscle pain, and especially from reducing fever. It is also effective in combating bone and joint pain, neuralgia and postoperative pain. It is definitely the mildest for the stomach and quite safe for "ulcers". Inhibits the production of inflammation mediators mainly at the level of the brain - that is, on the high floors processed pain stimuli. This method of action makes paracetamol almost free of anti-inflammatory effect. The drug does not stop the development of disease processes, but only fights with some of their symptoms (fever, pain).
Paracetamol is effective and safe for small children
For reasons of efficiency and safety, paracetamol is the basic medicine for fighting pain for young children. It is almost unpolluted by young children - so it does not pose a threat to their kidneys and liver to the same extent as for adolescents and adults. Generally, however, it is not allowed to exceed the daily dose of 4 grams, because paracetamol metabolites are toxic and threaten the liver and kidneys. The failure of these organs is a contraindication to taking paracetamol.
Naproxen works the longest and is the strongest anti-inflammatory drug.
It demonstrates high effectiveness in combating pain and its inflammatory process and in reducing fever. The most common indications are low to moderate pain, for example accompanying menstruation, migraine, tooth diseases, infections with fever, (influenza, other viral infections), soft tissue and bone injuries, osteoarthritis.
A specialist in inflammatory rheumatic diseases of the musculoskeletal system
The drug is often used in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis). The favorable features of naproxen in diseases of the musculoskeletal system include the phenomenon of accumulation of the active substance in the joint cavities.
The unquestionable advantage of naproxen is its long duration of action.
The drug works for 12 hours, so you only need to take it twice a day. Although the drug is relatively safe, it should not be used by people with gastric and duodenal ulcer disease, with blood clotting disorders, (similar to acetylsalicylic acid!) And allergic to naproxen. Caution should be given to patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency.
Ibuprofen has a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect
In contrast, antipyretic works a bit less. It works well in headaches, teeth, muscles and joints, in rheumatic diseases, in pains associated with spinal overloads, as well as in post-traumatic pains and neuralgia.
For painful menstruation, headaches and teeth ...
It is also effective in relieving menstrual discomfort, headaches, toothache, aches and pains associated with colds and flu.
Milder for the stomach
Although ibuprofen, like any preparation from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can cause stomach and duodenum ulceration - the risk is much lower than when using acetylsalicylic acid.Ibuprofen is one of the best-tolerated non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The drug may increase the effect of anticoagulants. Due to the good tolerability and the rarity of side effects, this drug is recommended by the European Union for anti-rheumatic drugs. Contraindications to taking ibuprofen are: active peptic ulcer, asthma and allergy.
We can fight pain in the pharmacy only if we know the cause
There are situations in which the doctor should be consulted before taking the medicine. These include injuries. Turning off the alarm signal, which is the pain, may delay the diagnosis of bone, ligament or internal organ damage, which delays the commencement of appropriate therapy and as a result may lead to unfavorable course of treatment. A condition for the rational purchase of a drug without a prescription is knowledge of the intended use, expected therapeutic actions and adverse effects of the preparations purchased.
Ed. Edward Ozga Michalski, MA
Consultation dcr n. Med. Piotr Tederko
