ibuprofen

Other analgesics include aspirin, acetaminophen (trade name Tylenol), and naproxen sodium (trade name Aleve).

I personally favor ibuprofen over the other drugs, though a combination of ibuprofen and aspirin can be highly effective.

For children, ibuprofen or tylenol are the only real choices, as aspirin can cause Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal disease.

Ibuprofen is also sometimes called Vitamin I and (in the SCA) "fighter candy."

From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.

People who have allergic reactions to Aspirin, or who have (or have had) duodenal ulcers should stay away from ibuprofen based products as well as Aspirin.

It can cause the same reactions as Aspirin, which in the case of those with said ulcers or allergies can cause everything from a bit of a case of the sniffles, to severe stomach pain, to death. If in doubt, paracetamol is probably the safest over the counter analgesic available in most countries.

Don't mess about with chemicals, and read up on EVERYTHING before you take it.