Painkillers: Navigating Your Over-the-Counter Options

Head throbbing? Back aching? Arthritis flaring up? People in such plights ― and countless others ― almost universally respond the same way: pop a painkiller. Indeed, recent surveys show 1 in 3 Americans take over-the-counter pain medication daily and as many as 8 in 10 report reaching for it routinely. But how much do people really know about these seeming wonder drugs found in practically every home or office first-aid kid? In this episode, we explore the different types of painkillers, how to know which to take for your condition and when they do more harm than good.

Expert: Dr. William McGee, Internal Medicine

Interviewer: Todd Ackerman

Notable topics covered:

• The history of painkillers
• Acetaminophen, NSAIDs — which is right for your pain
• Interaction issues involving painkillers and prescription drugs
• Do some people just respond better to a certain type of painkiller?
• Side effects: The dangers of over-the-counter painkillers
• Are generics just as effective?
• Topical painkillers: All the benefits without the potential harms
• When are prescription painkillers appropriate?

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