Final answer:
After aspirin, which has certain side effects, drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen were developed offering improvements such as better gastrointestinal tolerance and longer-lasting effects. Additionally, prescription opioids provide powerful pain relief but come with substantial risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Several commercially available analgesic drugs have been developed after aspirin, which debuted in 1899. These drugs include both over-the-counter and prescription medications, and each offers certain advantages over aspirin.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - This drug is an analgesic and antipyretic but only weakly anti-inflammatory. It is considered an improvement for patients who cannot tolerate aspirin due to its gastrointestinal side effects or those for whom aspirin's anticoagulant properties may pose a risk, such as patients with peptic ulcer disease.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) - Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like aspirin, but it generally has a faster onset of action and may cause less stomach irritation compared to aspirin.
Naproxen (Aleve) - Another NSAID, naproxen offers longer-lasting effects than ibuprofen, which can make it more convenient for managing chronic pain conditions with fewer doses required per day.
Prescription pain relief medicines also include opioids, which are powerful pain relievers but carry serious risks of addiction, abuse, and overdose. As aspirin-like drugs generally work by blocking COX enzymes involved in pain and inflammation, newer drugs have been tailored to manage specific side effects and patient needs better.