The Health Digest poll results include responses from 583 participants. Of those, 36.19% said their preferred choice of pain medication was Tylenol, while 29.33% choose Advil. Around an eighth of those polled (19.21%) said Aleve is their go-to for pain, followed by 12.35% who choose Motrin. The remainder of those polled, accounting for 2.92%, reach for Alka-Seltzer to relieve pain.
While over-the-counter pain relievers are relatively safe to use when you follow the manufacturer’s directions, the Cleveland Clinic reports that some can have negative side effects, including peptic ulcers and problems with your kidneys and liver. Because many types of medications — including those that treat allergies and colds — can contain pain relievers, it’s important to read labels to avoid taking too much. You should visit your healthcare provider if you experience vision problems, shortness of breath, slurred speech, blood in your urine, or a severe stomach ache while taking pain medication.