The smooth, blue gel caps, red and yellow capsules and tiny white rounds all make big promises: They'll banish your pain, wherever you may ail. But over-the-counter pain relievers aren't one-size-fits-all-aches drugs, and it can be tricky to figure out which one you need.

To get the answers, we consulted Phil Creger, Roper Hospital's director of pharmacy, and Dr. Robert Oliverio, an internist with Lowcountry Medical Associates. The graphic accompanying this story offers a customized look at which pain relievers to turn to for common aches, from head to toe.

The experts say there are a few basic truths to know when stocking your medicine cabinet. For one, it's almost always best to use a generic drug. The bottles of Tylenol, Aleve and Bayer may seem prettier, but what's inside is the same as the store brands. Choosing generics can cut costs by almost half.

"Do it as cheaply as possible," Oliverio says. "These drugs all have the same active ingredients and should be equally effective."

And although these medications aren't prescription strength, they do carry risks. High doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (sold under brand names including Aleve, Advil and Motrin), for instance, have been linked to heart attacks and stroke, while too much acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol) can cause liver damage.

People who find themselves reaching for the drugs frequently - to control arthritis pain, say, or treat chronic headaches - should talk to their doctors to get help choosing the safest medication. In some cases, a prescription medication may be a better choice.

Which pain reliever works best?

Arthritis or muscle pain

Choose ibuprofen for sports injuries. "It's good for inflammation, for an acute injury where there's swelling," says local internist Dr. Robert Oliverio.

For arthritis, aspirin, ibuprofen or a combination of the two is the best bet, says Phil Creger of Roper Hospital. Patients with chronic pain might consider Aleve or its generic substitute, naproxen, since that drug needs to be taken only every 12 hours rather than every four to six.

Studies have found an increase in heart attacks and stroke among people taking high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, so it's important to talk to a doctor about your risk before beginning this type of regimen. People with a history of stomach bleeding or ulcers should choose an enteric-coated product if they use aspirin, and they may need to take a drug such as Prilosec to keep stomach acids in check during treatment with any painkiller, Oliverio says

Fever

Aspirin or acetaminophen. "Aspirin is a stalwart," Phil Creger says. "It's been out there for so many years, and it's very effective." Enteric-coated formulas help prevent stomach upset, which can be helpful when patients are battling nausea, too. Babies and children, however, should never take aspirin because of its apparent link to Reye's syndrome, a rare but life-threatening condition that is known to follow viral infections such as chicken pox. Those who take blood thinners also should avoid aspirin.

Headache

Any over-the-counter pain reliever should help, but people who suffer from migraines might find extra relief from a product that also has caffeine, such as Excedrin, Dr. Robert Oliverio says.

Since headaches often accompany other ailments, patients taking multisymptom drugs for a cold, flu or sinus pain are urged to read labels carefully to avoid double-dosing on painkillers. "A lot of times, people don't realize there is acetaminophen in those products, and you could certainly get more than what is recommended," says Phil Creger.

Menstrual cramps

Ibuprofen probably is best since the uterus is a muscle. Women-only pain-relief formulas such as Midol and Pamprin generally don't offer many extra benefits, Phil Creger says. They may contain mild diuretics or antihistamines to battle bloating and other symptoms, but drinking plenty of water, laying off salt and alcohol and getting enough rest are likely to help ease the problems just as well.

Heart health

A raft of studies confirms that daily aspirin therapy plays an important role in the prevention of heart attacks and strokes among men, and guidelines released last month by the American Heart Association also urge the regimen for women 65 and older. A single 81 mg baby aspirin each day is enough - taking more can lead to stomach bleeding.

Kids

Ibuprofen beat out acetaminophen and prescription codeine for busting pain in kids with broken bones, bruises and sprains, according to a study published in this month's issue of the journal Pediatrics. Doctors think ibuprofen fared better since it targets inflammation - a hallmark of these types of injuries - while the other two drugs do not.

When it comes to fever, the jury's still out on what's best, but doctors say children's formulations of both ibuprofen and acetaminophen are good choices. Aspirin is always a no-no for babies and children.