What's your preferred OTC pain reliever?

[Mixolydian]

I mainly use Ibuprofen and Naproxen. For me personally, Naproxen seems to work better for muscle-related pain, whereas Ibuprofen works better for things like headaches.

 

[waggy]

Aleve really works well too.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

As a migraine sufferer 400mg ibuprofen can't be beat for OTC... Only thing that seems to give any relief.

 

[stargazr]

Anacin [aspirin & caffeine]

If that doesn't work -
Excedrin Extra Strength [aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine]

I can't take Naproxen.

 

[crab]

Oxycontin

 

[OCGuy]

Marijuana and/or alcohol.

 

[LevelSea]

antifreeze

 

[KeithTalent]

These are all I ever use; they work wonders:

KT

 

[vi edit]

Tylenol for headaches. For muscle aches I just suck it up and do a light workout. Get the blood moving and help the body recover naturally.

 

[Dedpuhl]

2x Tylenol Tension + 1x enteric coated aspirin is the only thing that drops my chronic daily headaches to manageable levels. I usually need to take this combo every 2 or 3 days.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Naproxen and ibuprofen seem to work about the same for me, but naproxen seems to come on faster and last longer, so I tend to use that. I try to stay away from acetaminophen (unless of course it's combined with an opiate ).

 

[ch33zw1z]

Excederin migraine for regular aches and pains/headaches.

I take Relpax for migraines.

 

[nickbits]

I mainly use Ibuprofen and Naproxen. For me personally, Naproxen seems to work better for muscle-related pain, whereas Ibuprofen works better for things like headaches.

Same

 

[lxskllr]

None. I just deal with it.

 

[Skel]

It really depends on what kind of pain I'm dealing with. Soreness and just general pain I go with Advil. If it's really bad and I haven't drank anything I'll stack it with Tylenol a couple of hours later. For the really bad pain I'll use oxycodone. Right tool for the right job.

 

[TallBill]

Naproxen

 

[mnewsham]

Pot for 99% of everything, if there is anything specific that hurts I might take an acetaminophen

 

[nageov3t]

I can't take NSAIDS, so I don't have many options outside of Tylenol.

 

[HendrixFan]

None. I just deal with it.

This. If the headache or other pain is bad I'll sleep it off.

 

[DaTT]

As a migraine sufferer 400mg ibuprofen can't be beat for OTC... Only thing that seems to give any relief.

I agree for OTC. But I have "special pain killers" for migraines.

 

[surfsatwerk]

My own cocktail of 600mg Ibuprofen and 500mg Aspirin.

 

[boomhower]

Advil for 90% of issues. Aleve 9% of the rest. I avoid Tylenol until the last resort.

 

[akahoovy]

My own cocktail of 600mg Ibuprofen and 500mg Aspirin.

And cocaine?

 

[lothar]

No option for both Aleve and Tylenol?

If I'm in "serious" pain, I would consider using both since they have different mechanisms of action.
Another benefit is one is metabolized through the kidney and the other through the liver.

If I'm not in "serious" pain, then the situation does not warrant me using either medication.

As for headache and migranes...Never had them. I don't fully understand what people mean when they say they have a "headache". Yes, I've read the descriptions in the textbooks, but I've never experienced this myself.

My dad was the same as well. He never had any headache nor took medication for headache.
A lot of people here still use Aspirin for pain? Really...? Talk about being old school.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Tylenol gives me a sore throat and makes me feel feverish so I just stick with Naproxen.