I recently injured my right hand in a minor accident and have a written exam tomorrow. What is a safe, fast-acting painkiller with minimal side effects, such as drowsiness, that I can take to help relieve the pain so I can write my exam?
For quick, non-drowsy pain relief, I recommend taking acetaminophen (500 mg) or ibuprofen (400 mg). Both are fast-acting, typically working within 30 minutes, and will not make you sleepy. Take ibuprofen with a light snack to protect your stomach. If the pain is more intense, these two generic medications can safely be taken together. Try using a soft grip helper on your pen during the exam to reduce strain. Good luck tomorrow! Once your exam is over, please have a doctor evaluate your hand to ensure there are no underlying sprains or minor fractures.