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Medical Summaries

Pain Killer Comparison Chart

This table lists the pain relief efficacy of common pain medications, both prescription and non-prescription.

What are the best pain pills?
Which pain killers have the worst side-effects?
Here is a comparison table of common pain medications.
The pain relievers below were ranked by effectiveness for chronic back pain, by a Harvard Study Summary. Each pain medication was rated for effectiveness on a scale of from 1 (aspirin) to 10 (morphine).

Brand Name

generic name
Dose
(per pill)
Back
Pain
Score
Uses According
to Label
Best Uses
(according to
Consumer's Guide)
Problems
Caused

Over-the-counter (OTC) Pain Medicine (NSAID= Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflamatory Drug)

Anacin
Bayer
Bufferin
Ecotrin

aspirin
(acetylsalicylic acid)
NSAID
81mg
325mg
1

Minor aches, pains
cold, headache,
muscular ache

minor aches and pains

aspirin allergy,
asthma,
upset stomach,
Reye's Syndrome

Anacin non
Excedrin
Tylenol

acetaminophen
(N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)
acetamide)
500mg
2

Headache

fever,
if allergic to aspirin,
arthritis,
rheumatism,
musculo-skeletal

7-04-06- Tylenol Liver Damage
"Tylenol is the No. 1 cause of acute liver failure in the U.S."
"[Acetaminophen] is a leading cause of death from pharmaceuticals,"

Vanquish

Combination of
aspirin and acetaminophen
NSAID
325mg
500mg
2.25

Headache
Muscle ache

headache

not for children and teens

Advil
Motrin
Nuprin

ibuprofen
(2-(4-Isobutyl-phenyl)-
propionic acid)
(analgesic, antipyretic)
NSAID
200mg
2.5

Aches, pains,
colds, toothache,
muscle aches,
backache,
menstrual, fever

fever,
muscle ache

aspirin allergy,
asthma,
upset stomach,
not for last trimester

Aleve
Naproxen

naproxen sodium
(anti-inflammatory)
NSAID
220mg
3

Joint and muscle pain

arthritis,
rheumatism,
musculo-skeletal

Naproxen heart risk
upset stomach,
not for nursing mothers

Motrin 800

ibuprofen
(analgesic, antipyretic)
NSAID
800mg
3.5

(listed above)

(as above)

(as above)

Actron
Orudis

ketoprofen
(anti-inflammatory)
NSAID
12.5mg
3.6?

Anti-inflammatory,
analgesic

arthritis

see -
Consumer's Guide -
Feb.1987


More Warnings on OTC Drugs:
NSAIDS Increase Blood Pressure
Aspirin and NSAIDS Cause Stomach Bleeding Resulting In Death

Prescription Pain Medicine

Brand Name

generic name
Dose
(per pill)
Back
Pain
Score
Uses According
to Label

na

Problems
Caused

Celebrex

celecoxib
4-[5-(4-methylphenyl) -3-(trifluoromethyl) -1H-pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide
(COX-2 inhibitor)
NSAID
100mg
200mg
3.7*

Osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis,
short term pain,
painful menstruation

na

Celebrex heart risk
stomach bleeding,
heart attack,
stroke

Ultram

tramadol
(±)cis-2-[(dimethylamino) methyl] -1-(3-methoxyphenyl) cyclohexanol hydrochloride
50mg
3.8*

Moderate pain

na

nausea, constipation, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, vomiting

Demerol

meperidine HCl
50mg
100mg
4

* Note: The scores for Celebrex and Ultram are estimates (3.7* and 3.8*). These two drugs did not exist at the time of the study.
















The opiates are the most effective pain killers, but are subject to the most abuse, and prescription pain killer addiction. All opiates are addictive.




Vicodin

hydrocodone and
acetaminophen

5-500mg
7.5-750mg

5

Lorcet Plus

hydrocodone and acetaminophen
7.5-650mg
5.5

Vicodin ES

hydrocodone and
acetaminophen

7.5-750mg
10-500mg
20-500mg
50-500mg

6

Percocet

oxycodone HCl with acetaminophen

2.5-325mg
5- 325mg
7.5-500mg
10-650mg

6

Percodan

oxycodone HCl,
oxycodone terephthalate,
and aspirin

.4.5mg
0.78mg
325mg

7

Lorcet
Lortab

hydrocodone and
acetaminophen

5-500mg
7.5-500mg
10-500mg

7

Vicodin HP

hydrocodone and
acetaminophen
10-660mg
7

Oxycontin 40

oxycodone HCl
40mg
8.5

Dilaudid

hydromorphone hydrochloride
1mg
2mg
3mg
4mg
9

RMS
MS Contin

morphine sulfate
15mg
30mg
60mg
100mg
10




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DISCLAIMER

The author has no medical training. No advice is intended.
Although the author has tried to be as accurate as possible, errors and mis-statements are possible. Some pain medicine was not available at the time of the study, such as tramadol (Ultram), celebrex, etc. Consult your doctor for personal pain reliever advice.
This data was summarized and ordered by me into this Pain Killer Chart, primarily from
http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum_2/ChronicPainF/3.19.991.15AM PAINKILLERS SU.html and from other Pain Medication websites. The Harvard study was based upon the best painkiller for chronic back pain relief. This is a Pain Meds Comparison Chart. It compares each perscription pain drug, and each OTC pain drug.
I made this Painkiller Summary/ Pain Medication Table to identify the best pain relief alternatives, and to point out the side effects of each one.


Vaughn's Summaries (One-Pagers)
©2003, 2004 Vaughn Aubuchon ... All Rights Reserved
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com


This Vaughns One-Page Summaries Best Pain Killer Summary Chart web page was updated on 2008-04-23.