Aspirin (Bayer, St. Joseph)

Take it for: Heart attack and stroke prevention
The deal: Aspirin usually isn’t recommended as a pain reliever nowadays because it can cause stomachs to bleed. But if you’ve had (or are in danger of having) a stroke or heart attack, your doctor may put you on a daily aspirin regimen.
Skip it if: You have a bleeding disorder or kidney problems. If you use aspirin a lot and experience ringing in your ears or hearing loss, talk to your doctor — they’re serious side effects, but will go away when you cut back.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Take it for: Muscle and joint pain, toothaches
The deal: Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), meaning it’s great for reducing pain and inflammation.
Skip it if: You have kidney problems or a history of bleeding ulcers. Upset stomach is the most common side effect, so take it with food.

Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)

Take it for: Menstrual cramps and chronic pain such as arthritis
The deal: Naproxen basically is the same as ibuprofen, but it lasts twice as long. If you’re taking more than one dose of ibuprofen to get relief throughout the day, naproxen may be the answer.
Skip it if: As with ibuprofen, avoid this if you have kidney problems or a history of bleeding ulcers. Be sure to take it on a full stomach to prevent tummy aches.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Take it for: Headache, sore throat, fever
The deal: Unlike ibuprofen or naproxen, acetaminophen only relieves pain, not inflammation. Reach for it when you have a headache and turn to the others to treat muscle aches. (It has no common side effects and is the pain reliever recommended for pregnant women.)
Skip it if: You have liver disease (it can interfere with liver function). Also, if you have three or more alcoholic drinks a day, acetaminophen isn’t your best choice.

Aspirin/Acetaminophen/Caffeine Combination (Excedrin)

Take it for: Headache or migraine
The deal:The combination of the three medications can stop an oncoming headache in its tracks.
Skip it if: You’re jittery or sleepless from the caffeine. Also, if you find yourself using it day after day, you may be a victim of the rebound headache effect, in which you get a headache when you stop taking the medicine. Talk to your doctor about preventive medications that can stop the daily pain.