NSAID

NSAID stands for “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory<link to Inflammation> drug.” Aspirin<link to Fast Facts About Aspirin>, ibuprofen<Fast Facts About Ibuprofen> and naproxen sodium<link to Fast Facts About Naproxen Sodium> are all NSAIDs, and they can be used to reduce pain or fever<link to Fever>.

NSAIDs relieve pain by reducing the production of hormone-like substances that cause pain (called prostaglandins<link to Prostaglandin>). By comparison, acetaminophen<link to Fast Facts About Acetaminophen> works on the parts of the brain that receive the "pain messages."

With long-term use, aspirin and other NSAIDs may cause stomach upset, bleeding in the stomach and intestines, and ulcers. You generally shouldn't take NSAIDs, especially aspirin<link to Fast Facts About Aspirin>, if you:

• Are allergic to aspirin or other pain relievers;
• Take blood-thinning medicine or have a bleeding disorder;
• Have bleeding in the stomach or intestines, or peptic (stomach) ulcers;
• Have liver or kidney disease; or,
• Have 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day.

If an OTC medicine doesn't help your pain or fever<link to Fever>, or if you've been taking an OTC medicine for more than a couple of days for fever or a couple of weeks for pain, call your doctor. These may be signs that you have a more serious problem or need a prescription medicine.