What is the best over-the-counter pain reliever that I can take for back pain?
• A: Aleve (naproxen) and Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen) are NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug) used to treat pain by bringing down swelling. The main concern with this medication is that over time, it can cause bleeding in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract which includes the esophagus, leading into the stomach, the stomach, and the intestines, so if you have a history of ulcers or GI bleeding, this may not be the right pain reliever for you. Aspirin and other medications in this family are salicylates that work similarly, but thin the blood even more than NSAIDs. In fact, aspirin is often recommended in a low dose to thin the blood. An alternative is Tylenol (acetaminophen), as it works differently, but it does not reduce inflammation. NSAIDs work by reducing the effects of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation, pain, and fever in the body. Two enzymes, cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) make the prostaglandins work. COX-1 makes prostaglandins that support plate
