Pain Drug Comparison Chart - Sutter Health

Pain Drug Comparison Chart

Painkillers are among the most commonly used drugs

in the United States. Deciding which to use deserves

careful consideration. Use this quick comparison chart to

help guide a conversation with your doctor about which

medications are best and safest for you.

COMMON SENSE

CONSIDERATIONS

? Talk with your doctor about medication dosage and

possible contraindications.

? Never take any drugs when you are pregnant without

first consulting your doctor.

? Exercise caution with sensitive groups such as children,

the elderly and those with serious health conditions.

OVER THE COUNTER

Generic Name

Best Used For

Information provided by

Sutter Health¡¯s MyLifeStages

and pain management specialist

Karen Pantazis, M.D.

Classification

Brand Name

Aspirin

Aspirin

Family

Bayer

Bufferin

Ascriptin

Ecotrin

St. Joseph¡¯s

Minor aches and pains, fever

reduction and

anti-inflammatory

? GI bleeding

? Increased bleeding

? Ulcers

? May contribute to

macular degeneration

? Risk of Reyes syndrome in children

and teens

? Do not combine with blood thinner

medication

? Can cause tinnitus in high doses

? Can cause kidney

problems

Tylenol

Excedrin

Acetaminophen

Pain and fever

reduction

? Itching/swelling

(especially of the face/

tongue/throat)

? Rash

? Dizziness

? Bloody stools

? Stomach bleeding

? Liver damage possible if you take

more than recommended dose or you

drink alcohol.

? OTC cough and flu products contain

acetaminophen. It can add up quickly.

Limit total dose per day to 2000 mg.

Advil

Motrin

Aleve

Ibuprofen, naproxen

¨C also known as non

steroidal

Pain, fever reduction and

anti-inflammatory

?

?

?

?

?

? May increase risk of

cardiac events and stroke

? Increases risk of GI bleeding and

perforation

? Can cause kidney

problems

Acetaminophen

NSAIDs

Common Side Effects

Heartburn

Nausea

Rash

Dizziness

Stomach pain

Warnings

OVER THE COUNTER [con¡¯t]

Classification

Brand Name

Generic Name

Best Used For

Midol Preps

Combinations of

acetaminophen,

caffeine, naproxen,

aspirin

For headaches,

bloating, fatigue and

menstrual symptoms

?

?

?

?

?

Vanquish

Combination

of aspirin,

acetominophen and

caffeine

For headaches,

migraines, headaches,

muscle aches,

menstrual aches, or

other minor aches and

pains due to sinusitis,

arthritis, or colds

? Irritation of stomach or

intestines

? Nervousness

? Nausea

? Taste problems

? Trouble sleeping

? Ulcer from stomach acid

Excedrin

Migraine

Combinations of

acetaminophen,

caffeine and

ibuprofen

Migraine pain

?

?

?

?

?

Combination

Drugs

Painkillers

combining one

or more classes

of OTC drugs.

Common Side Effects

Dizziness

GI bleeding

GI upset

Irritability

Nervousness

Warnings

? Consider all warnings for aspirin, acetaminophen and NSAIDs like ibuprofen,

since combination drugs may combine

one or more classes.

Dizziness

GI bleeding

GI upset

Irritability

Nervousness

PRESCRIPTION

Classification

Opioid

Analgesics

Brand Name

Generic Name

Best Used For

Common Side Effects

Warnings

Vicodin

Norco

Lortab / Lorcet

Hydrocodone and

acetaminophen

Moderate to

Severe Pain

? Constipation, nausea, respiratory

depression in high doses or when

mixed with other meds or alcohol,

can lead to death

? Do not overtake these medications!

Take ONLY as prescribed.

Oxycodone

Percocet

Oxycodone

Oxycodone and

acetaminophen

Morphine

Methadone

Hydromorphone

Oxymorphone

Fentanyl Patch

MS ER / Kadian

Methadone

Dilaudid

Opana

Duragesic Patch

Neuropathic Pain Medication

NonOpioid

Analgesics

Gabapentin

Tramadol

Pregabalin

Duloxetine

Topiramate

Nortriptylline

Neurontin

Ultram

Lyrica

Cymbalta

Topamax

Pamelor

Opioid Agonist / Antagonists

Butrans

Bupronorphene Patch

Severe Pain

? Can lead to death from respiratory

depression if overtaken or mixed with

other sedatives, including alcohol.

? Can lead to dependence and tolerance,

which are different than addiction.

? Can lead to addiction, especially in high

risk individuals

Moderate to

Severe Pain

? Dizziness

? Nausea

? Do not stop medication suddenly

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