It depends on what you're treating and what other conditions you have. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally safer for the stomach and kidneys but doesn't reduce inflammation. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) reduce inflammation but can irritate the stomach and aren't safe with some heart, kidney, or blood-thinner conditions. Talk to one of our pharmacists with your full medication list and we'll help you pick.

Topical compounded creams deliver active ingredients directly to the site of pain — your knee, shoulder, lower back — so you can use a much lower dose than an oral pill would require. That means significantly fewer side effects (less stomach upset, no liver/kidney concerns, no drowsiness). They work well for localized pain. Oral medications are still better for widespread or systemic pain.

Yes — through the Ontario Naloxone Program, anyone can receive a free Naloxone kit at most pharmacies, no prescription needed, with no insurance involvement. The kit includes Naloxone nasal spray or injectable Naloxone, latex gloves, a face shield, and a quick training guide. We'll walk you through how to use it in about 10 minutes.

Key things to monitor: constipation (very common — start a stool softener proactively), drowsiness (don't drive), nausea, and overall mood. Take the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed. Talk to your prescriber about transitioning to non-opioids (acetaminophen + ibuprofen combination is surprisingly effective) once acute pain subsides. We're happy to be your reference point through the recovery.

For many people with chronic lower-back, neck, or joint pain, yes — TENS provides drug-free relief by interrupting pain signals to the brain. It's not a cure, but it can reduce reliance on pain medications. We can show you the basics in-store and help you choose between a basic unit and a more advanced model with multiple modes.