Frequency of use of acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and aspirin in US women

Purpose To determine the frequency of use of the three main classes of over-the-counter analgesics: acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and aspirin in two large US female cohorts. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of the frequency of analgesic use and the characteristics of users in female participants in the Nurses Health Study I (n = 86 985) and the Nurses Health Study H (n = 93 002) who were between the ages of 33 and 77 years. Information on frequency of current analgesic use was assessed by mailed questionnaire., Results All three classes of analgesics were used frequently. For example, acetaminophen was used greater than or equal to1 day/week by more than 20% of women. NSAIDs were used greater than or equal to1 day/week by 42% of women aged 51 years or younger, and aspirin was used greater than or equal to6 days/week by 25% women over age 51 years. The frequency of use of the individual analgesics varied by age (p < 0.001). In addition, women in the highest category of use of any of the analgesics tended to have a higher body mass index, were more likely to have hypertension and diabetes, and were more likely to be current smokers. Conclusions Analgesic use is very common among US women. Physicians should be cognizant of the frequency of use of the various over-the-counter analgesics in their female patient population. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.