Internal analgesics are a category of drugs that includes painkillers and fever reducers. Analgesics can be either prescription or over-the-counter (OTC). OTC internal analgesics include the following active ingredients: aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen sodium, and acetaminophen. Some analgesics also are grouped as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. OTC NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen sodium. OTC internal analgesics are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are safe and effective when used according to label instructions.
Acetaminophen is used for temporary fever and pain relief. It can be available in both OTC and prescription strength. (On some prescription labels, it may be abbreviated as APAP. It will never be abbreviated and will always say acetaminophen on an OTC Drug Facts label.) It can be found in single-ingredient medicines as well as in multi-symptom relief or combination cough and cold or flu remedies.
Aspirin is used for temporary fever and pain relief. Aspirin also can be found in both OTC and prescription medicines. (On some prescription labels, it may be abbreviated as ASA or spelled out as acetylsalicylic acid. It will never be abbreviated on an OTC Drug Facts label, and will be listed as aspirin.)
Ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen sodium are used for temporary fever and pain relief. They can be found in both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and in single-ingredient medicines as well as combination cough and cold or flu remedies.
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