Whether you’re sitting at home and enjoying the weekend, or hustling through your daily duties at work, body pain is never something you should suffer through. Fortunately, lots of pain medications are available as over the counter purchases. This makes it a lot easier for anyone to access instant and safe pain relief without having to course through a doctor.
However, if you’re buying OTC pain medication without a doctor’s prescription, it can be hard to pinpoint which specific option you should purchase. If you’re stuck thinking about what the best over the counter pain reliever is for your case, this comprehensive guide should give you a better idea.
Top 10 Over the Counter Pain Relievers Chart
| Picture | Name | Form | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. American First Aid Pain Away® II Individually Packaged Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer | Tablets | $$ | 4.8 |
 | 2. China Gel Topical Pain Reliever 8 oz Jar | Topical Gel | $$ | 4.7 |
 | 3. Stopain Regular Strength Pain Relief Spray, 8 Ounce | Topical Spray | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 4.Biofreeze Pain Relief 360 Spray for Muscle Pain Topical Analgesic | Topical Spray | $ | 4.5 |
 | 5. Vanquish Extra Strength Pain Reliever Caplets-100 ct. | Caplets | $$$ | 4.4 |
 | 6. Jason Natural Products Cooling Mineral Gel Tea Tree Pain Reliever | Topical Gel | $ | 4.4 |
 | 7. Motrin PM Pain Reliever/Nighttime Sleep-Aid, Coated Caplets, 40 ct. | Caplets | $ | 4.2 |
 | 8. Outback Pain Relief – Natural Topical Oil - 50mL Roll On | Topical Oil | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 9. Extra Strength Liquid Acetaminophen Pain Reliever, 8oz | Gel Capsules | $ | 4.1 |
 | 10. Neurocet. 30 Pain Relief capsules with unique pain-blocking action | Capsules | $$$$ | 3.0 |
Buying Information for over the Counter Pain Reliever
There are several different types of over the counter pain relievers and each one provides varying results. Making sure you consider these particulars will help you choose an option that will provide you maximum pain relief and comfort.
- Multi-Symptom Relief. Because pain often comes hand in hand with common illnesses like colds or flu, buying an over the counter pain reliever with multi-symptom relief will fight against both body pain and the symptoms of illness. Depending on the particular formula you choose, a pain reliever can contain ingredients that target sneezing, coughing, congestion, and runny nose.
If you don’t have any of these symptoms, it would be better to go for a pain reliever that’s purely for pain. That’s because any added ingredients that your body doesn’t need could reap toxicity side effects later on.
- Delivery Mechanism. The body takes some time to digest and absorb solid medications like tablets and capsules. So taking pain relievers that come in this form means that you may have to wait before you experience any sort of relief. While liquids are much more fast-acting, they can be difficult to take when you’re on the go.
Topical creams, sprays, and lotions are widely available, and are considered some of the best over the counter pain reliever options because they cause the least side-effects. Despite this however, the speed of their results can vary across users. What’s more, some topical remedies often don’t work for certain people, so it can be hit or miss when you choose this option to relieve your pain.
- Herbal Remedies. Through the years, many older traditional herbal remedies have been used and retained by man because they’ve proven to be effective methods for healing. Herbal and organic pain relief remedies are just as available as other types of treatment, and are said to be just as effective as well.
While these options can be very effective on some people, there are others who claim these products do nothing for them. This all depends on how your body takes to the specific herbs and organic ingredients that are used in each product. That said, it may be best to try out herbal remedies first before deciding to use them long term so you’re sure of the benefits that they provide you.
Top 3 Best Over the Counter Pain Reliever Reviews
1. American First Aid Pain Away® II
Dubbed the best over the counter pain reliever based on consumer reviews, Pain Away Individually Packaged Pain Reliever and Fever Reducer should be your first choice when selecting a pain killer for any kind of body pain. These tablets contain both acetaminophen and aspirin, which make it a very potent drug. It does not, however, contain caffeine in its list of ingredients. So if you take a dosage now, you’re likely to feel groggy after a few minutes.
Although it’s on the more expensive end of the price spectrum, Vanquish is still one of the bestselling over the counter pain killers because of its effectiveness, safety, and its minimal side-effects.
2. China Gel Topical Pain Reliever
If you’re looking for a topical remedy that really works, China Gel Topical Pain Reliever is your best bet. This gel is made with all natural ingredients that aim to relieve pain at the site, as well as menthol which leaves a lingering minty sensation that helps provide temporary relief.
The gel is fast-acting, providing results as soon as it’s applied. This is particularly ideal for users who need instant relief, especially during instances when pain becomes overwhelming.
Although it is effective as a temporary remedy, China Gel Topical Pain Reliever does not target the cause of the pain, neither can it cure the pain. This product simply numbs out the discomfort so you can go about your daily duties without having to be bothered by the strange sensations. Even then, China Gel Topical Pain Reliever is a great remedy for people who prefer products that provide relief seconds after use.
3. Stopain Regular Strength Pain Relief Spray
This pain relief spray has been used by countless individuals, and is a common staple in the bags of hikers, athletes, and other active individuals.
Stopain Regular Strength Pain Relief Spray is a deeply penetrating pain reliever that is sprayed topically to provide instant relief for body pain caused by sore muscles and joints, and arthritis. This medicated spray is said to be one of the fastest acting pain relievers on the market, and provides long-lasting results so you can keep going without having to think about your body pain. The only concern that some users have with Stopain Regular Strength Pain Relief Spray is that the formula has a strong peppermint scent that some users dislike. What’s more, skin irritations like rashes aren’t unlikely if the product is used by someone with particularly sensitive skin.