Pain medication: the main categories
Categories of pain relief drugs
Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin, analgesics each have their uses, depending on the location or nature of the pain.
Here is some information to help you see things more clearly:
Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
Effects: fights fever, painkillers.
Possible side effects: very rare, generally very well tolerated.
Contraindications: serious liver or kidney disease.
Advil, Motrin (Ibuprofen)
Effects: fights fever, anti-inflammatory (ask about the right dose for your problem), pain reliever.
Effective in case of menstrual pain.
Possible side effects: risk of stomach irritation.
Contraindications: asthma; stomach tenderness.
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid)
Effects: fights fever, anti-inflammatory, pain relief. Should preferably be taken on the advice of a doctor (especially to thin the blood).
Possible side effects: irritating to the stomach.
Contraindications: children 18 years of age and under (associated with Reye's syndrome), hypertension, stomach fragility.
Pharmacy services
To find a pain medication that is right for you, you may need to try a few. But in any case, ask your family pharmacist for advice; he or she is always available to help you make an informed choice and can also prescribe* medication for certain minor health problems, when the treatment and diagnosis are already known. A consultation with your pharmacist is essential to assess whether you meet the prescription criteria.
It may be necessary to make an appointment to benefit from this service. Ask the laboratory team for more details. Some Uniprix-affiliated pharmacies offer an online appointment scheduling service. To find the pharmacy nearest you that offers this service, click here.
The pharmacy services presented in this section are offered by pharmacist owners who are affiliated with Uniprix. The pharmacists are solely responsible for the professional activities carried out during the practice of pharmacy. These services are offered in participating pharmacies only. Certain fees and conditions may apply.
* The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide complete information on the subject matter or to replace the advice of a health professional. This information does not constitute medical consultation, diagnosis or opinion and should not be interpreted as such. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions about your health, medications or treatment.