The dos and don'ts of taking over-the-counter pain medications
5/18/202622 min
Ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin — there are many over-the-counter pain medications available, but are they all the same? And how much should you really take? In this episode, pharmacists and a doctor cover your drug options, including side effects, dosage and what to reach for the next time you have a headache or fever. This episode was originally published on March 31, 2025.
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Marielle Segarra· Host0:23
[upbeat music] You're listening to Life Kit from NPR. Hey, everybody. It's Mariel. [gentle music] For a decade plus, when I would get my period, I would have terrible cramps the first day, and I would just ride it out. Like, I'd be doubled over, unable to leave the house, really. I tried heating pads, which do help, but for some reason, I didn't think I should take a painkiller. I don't know, I guess I just thought it was safer to go natural. But then one day when I was maybe 25, I popped an ibuprofen, and then a short time later, the pain was gone. It would start to creep back up again a little later, and then I took another, and after that, I was over the hump. My cramps were manageable at that point. I kind of regretted waiting that long. I went through so much unnecessary pain. Pain is a part of the human experience. We get cramps and aches and migraines. We burn our hands cooking or trip and sprain an ankle. And when you're right in the middle of one of these moments and feeling that pain deep down in your