Healthy living
Medicines and supplements
Know your painkillers
Most of us reach for the painkillers when we feel a headache coming on, but a third of UK adults don't know the difference between common analgesics such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol, according to a new survey
The survey involving over 1,000 people was carried out by Panadol to coincide with Ask About Medicines Week, a campaign that aims to encourage all of us to ask more questions about medicines as we get older.
One in three people said that they would take the first available medicine. Women were more likely to make an informed choice, with 39 percent thinking about which medicine to take compared with only 27 percent of men.
Most people knew that some painkillers should be avoided for individuals with certain medical conditions but 40 percent had no idea what these painkillers were.
What are the differences?
Paracetamol
Adult Dose: 500mg -1g every four to six hours, maximum 4g daily.
What is it? A non-opioid (or non-narcotic) painkiller.
When should it be taken? It is used to ease mild to moderate pain from headaches, toothache, muscle and joint pains and period pains.
What are the dangers? Side-effects are rare if you do not take more than the maximum recommended dose. However, it can be very dangerous if you take an overdose.
Other medications? It is usually safe to take paracetamol with other medications but check with your doctor or pharmacist if you suffer from liver or kidney problems. And be careful if you're taking other non-prescription remedies, such as cold treatments, which may also contain paracetamol.
Aspirin
Adult Dose: 300-900g every four to six hours, maximum 4g daily.
What is it? Belongs to the group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
When should it be taken? It can be used to relieve pain and inflammation caused by rheumatic and muscular pain, sprains, backache, headache, sore throat, toothache and period pain. It can also be used to treat flu-like symptoms and reduce fever in adults. In low doses, it can be used to thin the blood.
What are the dangers? Some medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, asthma, stomach ulcers, and liver and kidney disease, could make aspirin a bad choice for you.
Other medications? Aspirin can mix badly with other medicines, vitamins, herbals, or dietary supplements. People who are already using a prescribed medicine to thin the blood should talk to a health professional before using aspirin, even occasionally.
Ibuprofen
Adult dose: 1200 - 1800 mg daily in three to four divided doses, preferably after food. Maximum daily dose 2400mg.
What is it? A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
When should it be taken? Ibuprofen can be used to relieve pain and inflammation caused by rheumatic and muscular pain, headaches, backache, and period pain. It can also be used to relieve cold and 'flu-like' symptoms.
What are the dangers? Ibuprofen may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
Other medications? Can interact with medications, including herbal and complementary preparations. Check with your pharmacist before taking it if you have blood clotting problems, peptic ulcers, kidney or heart problems.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.