What's best for what ails you. How the top 6 stack up. YOU'RE IN PAIN and you want relief. But drugstore shelves are packed with a confusing array of products. What's best for a tension headache, menstrual cramps or arthritis? Are all painkillers created equal? No, says Rob Hutchison, a pharmacy specialist in pain management at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. They all have different benefits, side effects and possible drug interactions. For example, aspirin and ibuprofen help reduce inflammation butmay cause stomach problems. Acetaminophen is easier on the stomach, but doesn't halt inflammation--and it may cause liver damage if taken in high doses for several days. Prescription-strength painkillers have their pros and cons, too, as seen in the recent removal of Vioxx from the market.
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