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, non-steroidal 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 II (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 > or = 1 day/week by more than 20% of women. NSAIDs were used > or = 1 day/week by 42% of women aged 51 years or younger, and aspirin was used > or = 6 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.