Top 10 OTC Pain Relievers Rated
By Richard "Rick" Callahan | Published: 2025-04-01 | Category: Medicine
About Medicine
Medication available for purchase without a prescription, typically used to treat common ailments like mild pain, fever, or allergies. These products provide accessible relief for everyday health concerns.
How We Tested
Products were evaluated based on their active ingredients, common applications, speed and duration of relief, ease of use, general consumer feedback, and overall value. Analysis focused on readily available information and typical use cases for self-treatment of mild to moderate symptoms.
Scoring Criteria
- → Formulation & Packaging
- → Dosage & Administration
- → Efficacy & Speed
- → Reported Tolerability & Satisfaction
- → Price & Availability
- → overall_score
The Best Medicine
GoodSense Acetaminophen Extra Strength
By GoodSense (Perrigo)
Generic extra strength acetaminophen caplets offering comparable relief to Tylenol Extra Strength at a lower cost.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Acetaminophen 500mg
- ✓Form: Caplet
- ✓Primary Uses: Headache, minor aches and pains, muscular aches, arthritis pain, common cold, toothache, premenstrual/menstrual cramps, fever
Scorecard (Overall: 8.6 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Excellent value compared to brand name
- + Same active ingredient and efficacy as Tylenol ES
- + Gentler on the stomach than NSAIDs
Cons
- - Packaging and tablet quality might feel less premium
- - Brand recognition is lower
Verdict
"Offers the same pain and fever relief as the leading brand name but at a significantly lower price point. The top choice for value-conscious consumers seeking acetaminophen."
Aleve Liquid Gels
By Aleve (Bayer)
Long-lasting naproxen sodium pain relief in a liquid gel capsule.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Naproxen Sodium 220mg (NSAID)
- ✓Form: Liquid Gel Capsule
- ✓Primary Uses: Minor arthritis pain, muscular aches, backache, menstrual cramps, headache, toothache, common cold, fever
Scorecard (Overall: 7.8 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Provides up to 12 hours of relief
- + Liquid gel form may offer faster absorption than caplets
- + Effective for persistent pain
Cons
- - Higher cost per dose compared to caplets
- - Potential for stomach upset (NSAID)
- - Slower onset than ibuprofen
Verdict
"Combines the long-lasting benefit of naproxen with the potentially faster absorption of a liquid gel. A good option for all-day relief if tablets are too slow."
Advil Tablets
By Advil (Haleon)
Standard ibuprofen tablets for pain, fever, and inflammation relief.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Ibuprofen 200mg (NSAID)
- ✓Form: Tablet
- ✓Primary Uses: Headache, muscle aches, minor arthritis pain, toothache, backache, common cold, menstrual cramps, fever
Scorecard (Overall: 8.2 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Effective pain and inflammation relief
- + Affordable and widely accessible
- + Trusted brand name
Cons
- - Potential for stomach upset (NSAID)
- - Slower onset than liquid gels
Verdict
"The standard bearer for ibuprofen tablets. Reliable, effective, and economical choice for a wide range of common aches and pains."
Tylenol Regular Strength Tablets
By Tylenol (Johnson & Johnson)
Standard dose acetaminophen tablets for basic pain relief and fever reduction.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Acetaminophen 325mg
- ✓Form: Tablet
- ✓Primary Uses: Headache, minor aches and pains, fever
Scorecard (Overall: 8.0 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Lower dose may be suitable for sensitive individuals
- + Gentle on the stomach
- + Good option for mild pain/fever
Cons
- - Less potent than Extra Strength versions
- - May require more frequent dosing for persistent pain
Verdict
"A solid choice for mild pain or fever, offering the benefits of acetaminophen with a lower dosage per tablet compared to Extra Strength versions."
Bayer Aspirin Regimen, Enteric Coated Tablets
By Bayer
Low dose aspirin with an enteric coating, primarily used for cardiovascular protection under doctor's direction, also provides pain relief.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Aspirin 81mg or 325mg (NSAID)
- ✓Form: Enteric Coated Tablet
- ✓Primary Uses: Pain relief (325mg), Doctor-supervised cardiovascular protection (81mg or 325mg)
Scorecard (Overall: 7.6 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Effective pain reliever and anti-inflammatory
- + Enteric coating may reduce stomach irritation
- + Important for secondary cardiovascular prevention (under medical guidance)
Cons
- - Risk of stomach bleeding
- - Should not be used by children/teens with viral infections (Reye's syndrome risk)
- - Slower onset due to enteric coating
Verdict
"A classic pain reliever with important cardiovascular benefits when used appropriately under medical advice. The enteric coating helps mitigate stomach issues for some users."
Excedrin Migraine Caplets
By Excedrin (Haleon)
Combination caplets specifically formulated for migraine headache relief.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Acetaminophen 250mg, Aspirin 250mg (NSAID), Caffeine 65mg
- ✓Form: Caplet
- ✓Primary Uses: Migraine headache relief
Scorecard (Overall: 7.8 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Combination formula targets migraine symptoms effectively
- + Caffeine enhances pain relief
- + Clinically proven for migraine
Cons
- - Contains caffeine, may cause jitteriness or sleep issues
- - Contains aspirin and acetaminophen, potential for multiple side effects/interactions
- - Not for general pain
Verdict
"A highly effective option specifically designed for treating migraine headaches. The combination of ingredients provides synergistic relief for many sufferers."
Motrin IB Tablets
By Motrin (Johnson & Johnson)
Ibuprofen tablets offering relief from various types of pain and fever.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Ibuprofen 200mg (NSAID)
- ✓Form: Tablet
- ✓Primary Uses: Headache, muscle aches, minor arthritis pain, toothache, backache, common cold, menstrual cramps, fever
Scorecard (Overall: 8.2 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Effective anti-inflammatory action
- + Widely available and affordable
- + Reliable general pain reliever
Cons
- - Potential for stomach upset (NSAID)
- - Tablet form may have slightly slower onset than liquid gels
Verdict
"A dependable and cost-effective ibuprofen option. Offers solid performance against pain and inflammation, comparable to Advil tablets."
Aleve Caplets
By Aleve (Bayer)
Naproxen sodium caplets providing long-lasting relief from minor aches and pains.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Naproxen Sodium 220mg (NSAID)
- ✓Form: Caplet
- ✓Primary Uses: Minor arthritis pain, muscular aches, backache, menstrual cramps, headache, toothache, common cold, fever
Scorecard (Overall: 8.0 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Provides up to 12 hours of relief per dose
- + Effective for persistent pain like arthritis or backache
- + Requires less frequent dosing
Cons
- - Slower onset compared to ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- - Potential for stomach upset (NSAID)
- - Higher single dose strength
Verdict
"Best choice for long-lasting pain relief, minimizing the need for frequent redosing. Ideal for managing chronic but mild aches and pains throughout the day."
Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets
By Tylenol (Johnson & Johnson)
Acetaminophen caplets for effective relief of pain and reduction of fever.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Acetaminophen 500mg
- ✓Form: Caplet
- ✓Primary Uses: Headache, minor aches and pains, muscular aches, arthritis pain, common cold, toothache, premenstrual/menstrual cramps, fever
Scorecard (Overall: 8.6 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Generally gentler on the stomach than NSAIDs
- + Effective fever reducer
- + Does not interfere with blood clotting as much as NSAIDs
Cons
- - Risk of liver damage if dosage instructions are exceeded
- - Less effective for inflammation
Verdict
"A reliable standard for pain and fever relief, especially suitable for individuals who need to avoid NSAIDs due to stomach sensitivity or other conditions."
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Advil Liqui-Gels
By Advil (Haleon)
Ibuprofen liquid-filled capsules for fast relief of various types of pain and fever.
Key Features
- ✓Active Ingredient: Ibuprofen 200mg (NSAID)
- ✓Form: Liquid Gel Capsule
- ✓Primary Uses: Headache, muscle aches, minor arthritis pain, toothache, backache, common cold, menstrual cramps, fever
Scorecard (Overall: 8.6 / 10.0)
Pros
- + Fast absorption due to liquid form
- + Effective for various pain types
- + Widely available
Cons
- - Potential for stomach upset (NSAID)
- - Slightly higher cost than tablets
Verdict
"Excellent fast-acting pain relief, particularly effective for inflammation-related pain. The liquid gel form is preferred by many for quicker onset."
Final Thoughts
The OTC pain reliever market offers effective options for various needs. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) excels in speed and anti-inflammatory action, while Acetaminophen (Tylenol, GoodSense) is favored for fever reduction and stomach gentleness. Naproxen (Aleve) provides the longest duration of relief, and combination products like Excedrin target specific conditions like migraines. Generic options provide significant savings.
Notable Mentions:
- Aleve Caplets: Best for long-lasting, 12-hour relief.
- Excedrin Migraine: Specifically formulated and effective for migraine headaches.