Aspirin
Best for: Fever reduction, rheumatic arthritis, inflamed muscles, heart protection
How it works: The oldest NSAID, aspirin also zaps inflammation-caused pain. But unlike its counterparts, it has cardio-protective properties at low doses. “Aspirin is unique in that it can prevent blood platelets from sticking together,” Vardeny says. “This helps stop the formation of clots that can lead to heart attacks.”
If you’ve already suffered a heart attack, a low-dose aspirin every day may help prevent a second one. But if you don’t have heart disease, Nissen warns against it. “Many people believe that once they hit a certain age, daily aspirin is a good idea,” he says. “I don’t subscribe to that because aspirin has its own risks. Also, higher doses do not have the blood-clotting benefit, but they are better at relieving pain.”
Recommended dose: For occasional pain, 325 to 650 milligrams every four hours as needed; for daily heart attack prevention, 81 milligrams according to Dr. Nissen
Maximum daily dose: 4 grams
Downsides: Aspirin’s potential downsides mirror those of ibuprofen and naproxen: GI issues in the short-term and kidney and heart troubles down the line. The more the dose increases, the more aspirin’s heart-protective effects diminish, eventually reversing. Nissen says consistent high doses can also hinder the brain. Aspirin interacts with many of the same drugs as ibuprofen.
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