How does Advil, aspirin, etc, treat different aches like headaches, backaches, sore feet, etc? I know most of them have caffeine to speed up blood flow, but how does it seem to cure everything?
In: Chemistry
Most OTC painkillers don’t contain caffeine. Advil and plain aspirin don’t. Most OTC painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen) are called non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is not an NSAID, but it blocks the pain of inflammation. Many common pains are associated with inflammation. NSAIDs help reduce inflammation. Some like Excedrin, Goodys, and Anacin are combined with caffeine which helps them work.
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