Drugstore shelves are filled with many pain remedies. Each one is advertised to be better and faster acting than the others. But nearly all nonprescription pain relievers rely on aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for pain relief. Some brands also contain substances called additives. Caffeine to act as a stimulant and lessen pain.
Combination products have some disadvantages.
The additives can produce undesirable effects. For example, antihistamines sometimes cause drowsiness. You may find this acceptable at bedtime, but it could be a problem during the day or while driving. In addition, additives tend to increase the cost of nonprescription pain relievers. They also can change the action of other medicines you may be taking.