Need professional opinions on a pharm test question

Mr. Beef · Nov 2, 2006

If this is considered medical advice, by all means lock it or delete it mods. It's not intended to be, I just wanted some opinions.
Anyways, one of my test questions in pharmacology today was:
"Which NSAID is most effective for osteoarthritis?"
The choices were Tylenol, Aleve, Motrin and Bayer.
I picked Aleve based on the fact I've never personally heard of Motrin being used for it, but I've also not had any experience with it.
I know it's not Tylenol or Bayer, that's an easy elimination. The teacher is saying it's Motrin, but I asked my pharmacist at work and she said either/or would do the same job. Also between our book and notes in class, there was no mention of which one is any better.
So, in your opinion, which would be the correct choice? Any links for evidence? It just may earn me a point back. If not, it's something I'll be sure to remember for the rest of my life.

I don't have any links to support my theory, but I must agree with you and I would have said Aleve as well. Half of the answers were not NSAID's, and I thnk Motrin is not an NSAID or is one of the older ones. It could not be something easy like Advil could it.

Just my opinion,

Mr. Beef

dano · Nov 2, 2006

I don't have any links to support my theory, but I must agree with you and I would have said Aleve as well. Half of the answers were not NSAID's, and I thnk Motrin is not an NSAID or is one of the older ones. It could not be something easy like Advil could it.
Just my opinion,
Mr. Beef

My bad, thanks for pointing it out. It was Advil, but it listed the generic as ibuprofen on the exam and I've got a habit of using Motrin as the example. I fixed it above.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 2, 2006

Motrin and Advil are the same thing. They are two different brand names for ibuprofen.

Aleve is naproxen.

Ibuprofen and naproxen are both NSAIDs and can both be used for arthritis. Bayer (or any other brand name) aspirin is also in the NSAID category.

Ibuprofen is probably used more often, but as your pharmacist said, both ibuprofen and naproxen are effective and I don't know that one works better than the other. Their side effect profiles are similar, too. Ask your teacher to cite her source!

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2006

I guess Aleve could be considered "better" because it lasts longer.

dano · Nov 2, 2006

Motrin and Advil are the same thing. They are two different brand names for ibuprofen.
Aleve is naproxen.
Ibuprofen and naproxen are both NSAIDs and can both be used for arthritis. Bayer (or any other brand name) aspirin is also in the NSAID category.
Ibuprofen is probably used more often, but as your pharmacist said, both ibuprofen and naproxen are effective and I don't know that one works better than the other. Their side effect profiles are similar, too. Ask your teacher to cite her source!

Hrm. Interesting. The way she taught this part of analgesics in class she made salicylates sound like they're not NSAIDs. I know Aleve is naproxen, I have an anaphylactic reaction to it myself so I'm well aware of its generic name.

If anyone recognizes the name, it was Dr. Vallerand who is an author in the Davis Drug Guide that gave our last two lectures. Maybe she's just more book smarts than lecture smarts.:roll

GatorRN · Nov 2, 2006

As the last post noted, Advil, Motrin, (Ibuprofen) and Aleve, Naprosyn, (Naproxan) are both NSAID's. They are both used for Osteoarthitis, as well as Aspirin. They are all common pain relievers that reduce pain and swelling associated with Osteoarthritis.

Everyone responds to medications differently. Therefore, one person may find Ibuprofen to offer the most relief, and others may prefer Naproxan, and still another may prefer Aspirin.

Refer to the following link, (about half way down the page) perhaps your instructor should give credit to all answers, with the exception of Tylenol. It's worth a shot. Good luck, I hope you get credit for your answer.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000423.htm#Treatment

dano · Nov 2, 2006

I sent my professor an e-mail last night and she told me she has decided to throw out that question. I guess I wasn't the only one who complained.