Another reminder about buying medications while at the store.
(Warning, this is meant to be informative and not meant to treat or cure any disease. Please talk to your doctor before making any changes to your healthcare plans.)
I go to Walgreens or Target to pick up medications and OTC (over the counter) thing I might need. I still see people looking completely lost while in this area and often they buy the more expensive brand name medication. Here are a few things to know.
•4) NSAIDs vs tylenol: You may have heard the term before, but NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In the name itself is what distinguishes it from acetaminophen (Tylenol). Tylenol has 2 main properties, it is antipyretic (it lowers fevers) and it is an analgesic (a painkiller). NSAIDs have 3 main properties. They are also antipyretic and have analgesic properties, but they are also anti-inflammatory drugs, whereas Tylenol has little to no effect on inflammation. There are pros and cons to this 3rd step. NSAIDs help with inflammation whereas Tylenol generally does not. However, the difference to this is that NSAIDs, like Ibuprofen (Motrin) and Naproxen sodium (Aleve) block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). COX is split into COX1 and COX2. COX1 allows for arachidonic acid to be converted to prostaglandin H2 which is involved in the presence of the protective lining to our stomachs (gastric mucosa), which protects our stomach from the strong acids. By blocking COX1, especially with chronic NSAID use, one can create peptic ulcers since NSAIDs prevent the protective lining from being made which normally protects our GI tract. To make things worse, most NSAIDs are acids, themselves, and also add insult to injury.
So if NSAIDs had such an effect on gastric mucosa and chronic use leads to ulcers, why would we use them? For one, COX2 is also blocked by NSAIDs. Normally, COX2 would allow for the production of thromboxane which is used by our immune system to cause inflammation. Thus, they have an anti-inflammatory property that Tylenol mostly lacks. Plus, chronic use is necessary to cause the problems to the gastric mucosa (except in those with H. pylori, present ulcers, those taking certain medications/chemotherapy, and a limited other number of cases).
The side effects of chronic NSAID use and Tylenol use is different as well. Tylenol is mostly hepatotoxic (damages the kidneys) in part because it is a free radical generator (which harms the liver, especially the hepatocytes near the central veins). NSAIDs do cause peptic ulcers, but also affect the kidneys by changing the blood flow they receive (normally affected by prostaglandins which are now somewhat blocked).
Thus, which one should you use? An NSAID or Tylenol? Unfortunately, that's what I can't answer for you because the answer must come from your healthcare professionals. Tylenol is generally seen as "safer" (except in those with liver problems), whereas NSAIDs have the extra mechanism of action (anti-inflammation) but have more side effects. I hope you've learned a little about the differences.
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Comments: 27
Wow, Dan, thanks ever so much for such an informative, helpful article. I know that a lot of people don't really understand such things as the side effects of different OTC medications and don't read the fine print. This is really great advice! I, for one, really do appreciate your taking the time to explain all of this!
Very informative. Thanks
Thanks for the info.
Can't NSAID's also thin the blood? Might be harmful to those on anti-coagulation meds. Also not something to take if you are pregnant. Stick to Tylenol in that case.
More med observation, please
Thanks for the information. It's obvious you have done some research.
oh my karen, that's such a cute picture!!
Thanks so much. That's me a very, very long time ago.
oh yep, then it's a good thing I have stuck to the ibuprofen......already take nexium everyday, don't need to make it work any harder.....
I won't allow acetominophen (Tylenol) in my house, and haven't for probably 20 years. We use Ibuprofen sparingly.
Thanks for the information Dan.
We use Motrin and also asprin. (Not together)
Seems like either work pretty good. Of course we don't have any really
big problems........
Thanks for the info, Dan. I always wondered what the difference was. I've never had a problem with ulcers or my stomache in any way, so guess I'll keep taking the ibuprofen.
Dan, thanks for this clarification of the difference. I take a daily low-dose NSAID, and have to be careful what other pain relievers I can use. My doctor has pretty much told me not to use anything that she doesn't prescribe for me. Now I have a better idea why I have to be so careful.
Dan, thanks for providing this helpful information.
Why can't our healthcare pros say it this well? Great article Dan!
I was one those people who over used Ibupropen when I was working on my feet. I have since gotten off them and use only rarely. I am also fortunate that no damage was done to liver.
Very informative and useful information. Thank you.
I was told not to use acetaminophen for a long time, because I had chronic kidney infections. I was told to only use Ibuprofen. I got frequent migranes (something to do with hormones because I only get them certain times of the month) so I used ibuprofen for them. I also was given large doses of ibuprofen when I had my C-sections (I can't take vicodin, it makes me severely ill)
Recently I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. My gasteroentologist (I know I spelled that wrong) says it may have either been caused by, or it's progression was at least encouraged by ibuprofen use.
Now I am only to use acetaminophen, but ONLY when I absolutely positively can't find relief in any other way.
Frustrating.
Tylonal seems to be in trouble for false claims right now.
Very interesting info. I rarely need any kind of medcation. An occasional asprin, or tylenol. Maybe a couple times a year, if that.
Yikes Dan! This is scary! You've nailed it 100%! Exactly the reason my Dr took me off Motrin. I was experiencing GI problems. Luckily for me they hadn't gotten too serious yet. But the trade off is now I don't have an anti inflamatory drug for my arthritis. The tylenol helps with the pain but that 's all. I sit & use ice packs & started knee exercises.
The GI probs have improved & I hope the knee probs do too.
Thanks for the informative articles! Am looking forward to more!