I’m a doctor – here’s my guide to which pill you should pop for which pain
USERS of painkillers pop 373 each year on average, with one in 20 taking at least six every time they feel ill.
Pharmacologists warn that such high levels could lead to addiction to over-the-counter pills such as aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen or codeine.
Dr Deepak Ravindran, clinical lead for pain medicine at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation, told Sun on Sunday Health: “What’s most staggering about these figures is that they’re averages.
“There’s a significant number of people out there taking far more than this, and often without understanding the risks or consideration of the underlying causes or knowing what potentially harmful interactions there may be with other medications.
“They are very effective at reducing pain, but some are dependence-inducing if taken for too long. They can also make the pain they are intended to cure worse if taken excessively.
“Pain relief medication just blocks the neural messages being sent to your brain — it doesn’t deal with the root cause, which could be anything from dehydration to a more serious physical injury or condition.”
But which pill should you be popping? Here Dr Ravindran gives his guide.
PARACETAMOL
The pills are sold under brand names such as Panadol or combined with aspirin in Anadin Extra. Brands marked “extra” or “plus” often contain added caffeine but not more paracetamol. Found in cough, cold and flu remedies.
BEST FOR: Pain relief such as backache, toothache and mild headache. It lowers temperature and reduces inflammation.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dangerously toxic to the liver in high doses.
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DOSAGE: For adults, 500mg to 1g every four to six hours, with a maximum of eight 500mg tablets in 24 hours. If the pain is severe alternate paracetamol with ibuprofen every four hours.
DON’T TAKE IF: You have a weak or unhealthy liver or if you are regularly in chronic pain.
EXTRA BENEFITS: Paracetamol doesn’t cause stomach irritation, making it ideal for those who need to take painkillers regularly. Unlike aspirin and ibuprofen, paracetamol can be taken without food, and it’s safe to take with small amounts of alcohol.
ASPIRIN
This is sold under brand names such as Disprin and in combined preparations such as Anadin Extra. Soluble tablets act faster than coated ones, which partly protect from stomach irritation.
BEST FOR: Stress-induced headaches, toothache or flu symptoms as it lowers temperature and relieves joint pain. Gargling and then swallowing soluble aspirin eases throat infections.
SIDE EFFECTS: Irritates the stomach lining, so can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding.
DOSAGE: Take from one to three 300mg tablets every four to six hours over a 24-hour period.
DON’T TAKE IF: You are taking any anticoagulant drugs or if you have a stomach ulcer.
It increases bleeding so don’t take it before or after surgery.
Aspirin can trigger attacks in asthmatics.
EXTRA BENEFITS: In low 75mg daily doses it thins the blood and helps prevent clots that can cause strokes and heart attacks. It only should be used in this way by people who have already had an attack.
Scientists have found that a daily dose reduces chances of developing breast cancer by 28 per cent and can reduce the risk of prostate, colon and lung cancer. It can also delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and stabilise diabetes.
CODEINE
It is mainly sold in a combination, such as Solpadeine (paracetamol and codeine) or Nurofen Plus (ibuprofen and codeine).
BEST FOR: Intense muscular pain after an injury or tooth extraction. With period pain, it helps relax abdominal muscles that can cause menstrual cramps.
SIDE EFFECTS: Can cause sluggish bowel movements, constipation, light-headedness and drowsiness.
DOSAGE: 8mg pills no more than four times in 24 hours. GPs can prescribe higher doses.
DON’T TAKE IF: If you have liver, kidney or lung problems. Don’t take it regularly as it is highly addictive. You can also develop tolerance to it, making it less effective.
EXTRA BENEFITS: Helps suppress a dry or irritating cough.
IBUPROFEN
SOLD under brand names such as Nurofen, this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug also comes in a topical cream branded with the name Voltarol.
BEST FOR: Inflammatory pain and chronic pain that comes with rheumatoid arthritis, migraine and osteoarthritis.
SIDE EFFECTS: Can irritate the stomach lining, causing indigestion and nausea. Long-term, it can lead to gastric ulcers. Regular use can also lead to kidney and liver damage, as well as elevated blood pressure.
DOSAGE: Maximum of 1,200mg in 24 hours.
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DON’T TAKE IF: You have stomach ulcers or a gastric disorder.
EXTRA BENEFITS: A study found anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen could curb low moods.