Pain Drug Comparison Chart

Information provided by
Sutter Health’s MyLifeStages
and pain management specialist
Karen Pantazis, M.D.

Painkillers are among the most commonly used drugs

in the United States. Deciding which to use deserves
careful consideration. Use this quick comparison chart to COMMON SENSE
help guide a conversation with your doctor about which CONSIDERATIONS
medications are best and safest for you. • Talk with your doctor about medication dosage and
possible contraindications.
• Never take any drugs when you are pregnant without
first consulting your doctor.
• Exercise caution with sensitive groups such as children,

OVER THE COUNTER

the elderly and those with serious health conditions.

Classification Brand Name Generic Name Best Used For Common Side Effects Warnings

Bayer Aspirin Minor aches and pains, fever • GI bleeding • May contribute to
Bufferin reduction and • Increased bleeding macular degeneration
anti-inflammatory • Ulcers • Risk of Reyes syndrome in children
Ascriptin
Aspirin Ecotrin
and teens
• Do not combine with blood thinner
Family St. Joseph’s medication
• Can cause tinnitus in high doses
• Can cause kidney
problems

Tylenol Acetaminophen Pain and fever • Itching/swelling • Liver damage possible if you take
Excedrin reduction (especially of the face/ more than recommended dose or you
tongue/throat) drink alcohol.
Acetaminophen • Rash • OTC cough and flu products contain
• Dizziness acetaminophen. It can add up quickly.
• Bloody stools Limit total dose per day to 2000 mg.
• Stomach bleeding

Advil Ibuprofen, naproxen Pain, fever reduction and • Heartburn • May increase risk of
Motrin – also known as non anti-inflammatory • Nausea cardiac events and stroke
steroidal • Rash • Increases risk of GI bleeding and
Aleve
NSAIDs • Dizziness perforation
• Stomach pain • Can cause kidney
problems
OVER THE COUNTER [con’t]
Classification Brand Name Generic Name Best Used For Common Side Effects Warnings

Midol Preps Combinations of For headaches, • Dizziness • Consider all warnings for aspirin, acet-
acetaminophen, bloating, fatigue and • GI bleeding aminophen and NSAIDs like ibuprofen,
caffeine, naproxen, menstrual symptoms • GI upset since combination drugs may combine
Combination aspirin • Irritability one or more classes.
Drugs • Nervousness

Vanquish Combination For headaches, • Irritation of stomach or

of aspirin, migraines, headaches, intestines
Painkillers acetominophen and muscle aches, • Nervousness
combining one caffeine menstrual aches, or • Nausea
or more classes other minor aches and • Taste problems
of OTC drugs.
pains due to sinusitis, • Trouble sleeping
arthritis, or colds • Ulcer from stomach acid

Excedrin Combinations of Migraine pain • Dizziness

Migraine acetaminophen, • GI bleeding
caffeine and • GI upset
ibuprofen • Irritability
• Nervousness

PRESCRIPTION
Classification Brand Name Generic Name Best Used For Common Side Effects Warnings

Vicodin Hydrocodone and Moderate to • Constipation, nausea, respiratory • Do not overtake these medications!
Norco acetaminophen Severe Pain depression in high doses or when Take ONLY as prescribed.
mixed with other meds or alcohol,
Lortab / Lorcet • Can lead to death from respiratory
Opioid can lead to death
depression if overtaken or mixed with
Analgesics other sedatives, including alcohol.
Oxycodone Oxycodone Severe Pain
• Can lead to dependence and tolerance,
Percocet Oxycodone and
which are different than addiction.
acetaminophen
MS ER / Kadian Morphine • Can lead to addiction, especially in high
risk individuals
Methadone Methadone
Dilaudid Hydromorphone
Opana Oxymorphone
Duragesic Patch Fentanyl Patch

Neuropathic Pain Medication Moderate to • Dizziness • Do not stop medication suddenly

Severe Pain • Nausea
Neurontin Gabapentin
Non- Ultram Tramadol
Opioid Lyrica Pregabalin
Analgesics Cymbalta Duloxetine
Topamax Topiramate
Pamelor Nortriptylline

Opioid Agonist / Antagonists

Butrans Bupronorphene Patch