Check the Medicinal Ingredients in Your OTC Medication

There are 2 main types of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: acetaminophen and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including oral ibuprofen and naproxen sodium or topical diclofenac). It’s important to understand pain reliever differences so that you can make the appropriate choice for you. One type may be more appropriate for you, based on your age, health conditions, and other medicines you currently take.

2 main types	Medicinal ingredient
Acetaminophen	Acetaminophen for example: TYLENOL^®
NSAIDs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs	Ibuprofen for example: MOTRIN^®, Advil^® Naproxen Sodium for example: Aleve^®, MOTRIMAX^TM 12 HOUR Acetylsalicylic Acid for example: Aspirin^® Diclofenac^* for example: Voltaren Emulgel^{® *}applied topically

2 main types

Medicinal ingredient

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen
for example: TYLENOL^®

NSAIDs
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Ibuprofen
for example: MOTRIN^®, Advil^®

Naproxen Sodium
for example: Aleve^®, MOTRIMAX^TM 12 HOUR

Acetylsalicylic Acid
for example: Aspirin^®

Diclofenac^*
for example: Voltaren Emulgel^{®
*}applied topically

What to know: Acetaminophen and NSAIDs may treat the same symptoms, but they work differently in your body, and they have different warnings and dosing directions. One type may be more appropriate for you than the other.

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