Originally Posted by
bluesman
NSAIDs (Your tylenols, aspirins, etc) inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. This is not related to muscle growth directly, but! Prostaglandin directs the inflammatory process, and is a key contributor to cell damage, regrowth, and ultimately, protein synthesis. Disrupt that process, and obvious implications will have to be experienced. Further, many of the NSAIDs do a number on your kidneys and liver, so lets just say that if you are taking other substances that are nephro/hepa toxic, you should take these with further caution. It is a misnomer to think that because most NSAIDs are available OTC, that they are somehow less dangerous.. We here in this forum should know that this is not necessarily the case. After all, using that logic, the opposite "all prescription drugs are highly dangerous" should be correct then, right? Doesn't seem to be the general consensus around here, right?...I digress.
Opioids (vicodin, tramadols, etc)are generally low(er) impact on kidneys and liver, but then again, these are easy to use incorrectly, and often are. Also, these drugs are not as useful in reducing swelling/ inflammation, so their impact on muscle growth cannot be as easily measured, but is definitely impacted through reasons beyond the scope of this thread. Bradykinins, endorphins and cell processes are effected etc. Opioids are also CNS and respiratory depressants (good things to have fully intact when exercising). They do affect the dopamine endorphin function in the brain, that is a key mechanism in the release of cortisol though. For acute pain, they are better used "around the clock" for a set duration of time, rather than as needed. If you only use when your pain is peaking, you WILL develop tolerance. Tolerance can lead to the need for increased dosage, lowering the effective overall therapeutic range of the drug, dependence, addiction, etc .
tl;dr
Get the tooth pulled! Take it easy for a day or two, and then get back to the gym.
Hope this helped as you have helped me a lot in the recent past.