Do you know the difference between the basic painkillers 'Loxonin' and 'Acetaminophen'?
In our daily lives, we sometimes use 'painkillers' for headaches, lower back pain, joint pain, and more.
Because they can be easily purchased at drugstores,
there are many people who 'just take a painkiller' for now.
However, in reality, there are several types of painkillers, and their effects and side effects differ significantly.
In this article, among those, we will focus on the ones commonly used in daily life:
NSAIDs (such as Loxonin)
Acetaminophen (such as Calonal)
We will explain the differences between these two in an easy-to-understand way based on scientific research.
*Note regarding this article
This article explains commonly used painkillers based on scientific research and pharmaceutical information.
However, the effects and side effects of medication may vary depending on an individual's physical constitution, underlying medical conditions, and other medications being taken.
Therefore, when actually using medication,
it is important to follow the instructions of a doctor or pharmacist.
Self-judgment in taking excessive doses or long-term use can lead to unexpected side effects.
If pain persists for a long time or if you have concerns about using medication, we recommend consulting a medical institution or pharmacy.
*Regarding the scope of painkillers covered in this article
There are actually various types of painkillers.
For example:
Opioid analgesics (such as morphine)
Medications for neuropathic pain
Antidepressant-type analgesics (e.g., Cymbalta, etc.)
Antiepileptic drugs (such as pregabalin)
are also used in medical settings to treat pain.
However, these are
drugs used for chronic or specific types of pain
, so their properties differ slightly from the painkillers that the general public uses on a daily basis.
Therefore, in this article, we will
focus on the two most commonly used types in drugstores and general medical practice:
NSAIDs
and Acetaminophen
.
There are two main types of painkillers
Currently, the painkillers generally in use can be broadly divided into the following two types.
1. NSAIDs
Examples:
・Loxoprofen (Loxonin)
・Ibuprofen
・Diclofenac
2. Acetaminophen
Examples:
・Calonal
・Tylenol
Both are drugs that suppress pain, but their mechanisms of action are completely different.
What are NSAIDs?
Drugs that stop pain by suppressing inflammation
NSAIDs are drugs that suppress the production of
prostaglandins
, which are substances that cause pain.
In the body,
Cell damage
↓
Arachidonic acid
↓
Cyclooxygenase (COX)
↓
Prostaglandin
is the process by which inflammatory substances are created.
NSAIDs
inhibit the enzyme COX (cyclooxygenase)
, thereby suppressing inflammation.
As a result,
・Inflammation is reduced
・Pain is alleviated
・Fever is lowered
are the effects produced.
In other words, NSAIDs are
drugs with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Pain for which NSAIDs are effective
NSAIDs are particularly
effective for pain accompanied by inflammation.
For example
・Lower back pain
・Joint pain
・Muscle pain
・Sprains
・Toothache
and so on.
Studies have also shown that NSAIDs are effective for acute pain.
What is Acetaminophen?
Unlike NSAIDs, Acetaminophen is
considered a painkiller that acts primarily in the brain (central nervous system).
It is thought to work as follows.
By suppressing the production of prostaglandins, which are involved in pain transmission in the brain, it has the following effects:
・Relieve pain
・Reduce fever
It has these effects.
However, unlike NSAIDs,
it has almost no anti-inflammatory effect.
Characteristics of Acetaminophen
The biggest characteristic of Acetaminophen is
that it is gentle on the stomach.
Therefore,
・Children・The elderly・Those who are pregnant
it is considered a relatively safe painkiller for use by such individuals.
For mild pain or fever,
it is a medication often used as a first-line treatment.
Side effects of NSAIDs
While NSAIDs are very effective drugs, caution is also required regarding their side effects.
The main side effects are as follows.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Because NSAIDs also suppress substances that protect the gastric mucosa,
・Gastritis
・Gastric ulcer
・Gastrointestinal bleeding
may occur.
Renal impairment
Because NSAIDs also suppress prostaglandins involved in renal blood flow,
・Decreased renal function
・Acute kidney injury
can occur.
In particular,
・Dehydrated states
・The elderly
・People with kidney disease
need to be careful.
Cardiovascular risk
Some NSAIDs have been reported to potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as:
・Myocardial infarction
・Stroke
as well as other conditions.
Side effects of Acetaminophen
Although Acetaminophen is a relatively safe drug,
Overdose
can
liver damage
cause.
In particular,
・Taking large doses
・Concurrent use with alcohol
・People with liver disease
require caution.
However, it is considered highly safe when taken at normal doses.
Simple guide to using painkillers
Generally, they are used as follows:
Pain accompanied by inflammation
(joint pain, sprains, lower back pain, etc.)
→ NSAIDs
Mild pain/fever
→ Acetaminophen
Important point
Painkillers are not 'curative drugs'
Painkillers are
not drugs that cure the cause of the pain.
By temporarily suppressing pain,
they are drugs that create time for the body to recover.
is.
Therefore, if the pain persists for a long time,
it is important to properly investigate the cause.
Summary
Painkillers are broadly divided into
NSAIDs
Acetaminophen
two types.
NSAIDs exert a strong analgesic effect by suppressing inflammation, but caution is required regarding side effects.
On the other hand, acetaminophen is considered a highly safe painkiller with less burden on the stomach.
Since each medication has its own characteristics,it is important to use them according to the type of pain and the condition of your body.
References
Vane JR. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis as a mechanism of action for aspirin-like drugs. Nature New Biology. 1971.
Moore RA, Derry S, et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for acute pain. BMJ. 2015.
Graham GG, Scott KF. Mechanism of action of paracetamol. Pharmacological Reviews. 2013.
Bhala N, Emberson J, et al. Vascular and upper gastrointestinal effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Lancet. 2013.
Lee WM. Acetaminophen toxicity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2004.