# What is the difference in Pain Relievers

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-in-pain-relievers/2773>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 24, 1999, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-in-pain-relievers/2773 "1999-08-24T09:18:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 1999, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-in-pain-relievers/2773/1 "1999-08-24T09:18:00Z")

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I am refering to over the counter types.

I know there are two categories

NSAIDS (Non Steriodal Anti Inflamitory Drugs)

ASPRIN, NAPROXEN, IBRUPROFEN And KETOPROFEN.

{BAYER, ALEVE, ADVIL, & ORUDIS - are example of brand names of the above)

And Non NSAIDS

ACETAMINOPHEN - {TYLENOL}

I know Tylenol (I will use brand names it is easier to spell but I am refering to generics as well) don’t relieve inflammation and are gentler

But I have found Ibruprofen and Asprin work about the same for me yet Orudis and Aleve do almost nothing. (Yet cost more)

More pointedly what is the difference between the NSAIDS?

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**Author:** ![Poto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ab992/32.png) [@Poto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poto)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 1999, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-in-pain-relievers/2773/2 "1999-08-24T12:33:00Z")

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They are all NSAIDS. Some have worse side effects, like aspirin and intestinal problems from long term use. The new cyclooxygenase II inhibitors, like the one Monsanto/Searle put out(name?), are more specific. Most NSAIDS inhibit Cox I and Cox II .It’s prescribed for arthritis now, but may get wider use. Other companies are also developing this new generation of NSAIDS.