Which NSAID is most widely used?

• A. Aspirin
• B. Ibuprofen
• C. Naproxen
• D. Acetaminophen

Answer: (B)

Ibuprofen is the most widely used NSAID because it offers strong pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects at common over-the-counter doses, with a favorable safety and tolerability profile for short-term use. It works by irreversibly but reversibly inhibiting COX enzymes, reducing prostaglandin production to lessen pain, fever, and inflammation. Compared with aspirin, ibuprofen tends to cause fewer gastrointestinal issues at typical analgesic doses and doesn’t have the same irreversible antiplatelet effect, making it more suitable for general use. Naproxen is effective but often has a higher GI risk and longer duration of action, while acetaminophen isn’t an NSAID at all, so it lacks anti-inflammatory activity. All of this—efficacy, safety, and OTC accessibility—helps explain why ibuprofen leads in everyday use.