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Life Kit · May 18, 2026 · 22m

The dos and don'ts of taking over-the-counter pain medications

unidentified pharmacists and a doctor
Show Notes

This Life Kit episode covers the differences between common over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin. Pharmacists and a doctor explain how they work, their potential side effects, safe dosage guidelines, and which to choose for headaches or fever.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Editorial

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OTC pain relievers are not interchangeable
Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin work through different mechanisms and have distinct side effect profiles.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini
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Safe dosage matters more than most people think
The episode clarifies the proper dosing for each medication and warns about exceeding daily limits.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini
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Which OTC pain drug to choose for headache vs. fever
The episode offers guidance on which medication to reach for depending on your symptom.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini
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