If you’re throwing painkillers into your shopping trolley each time you hit the supermarket, you may be putting yourself in danger
Most of us have a packet or two of paracetamol somewhere at home – in fact, Brits take an average 373 painkillers each year*. Many are easily available over the counter, and work for a headache, backache, period pain or when you have a viral infection – but what is actually in them and would you know if you were taking too many?
There are multiple brands and names of painkillers available, both in pharmacies and supermarkets. They tend to contain one or more of the following active ingredients:
✱ PARACETAMOL
This is perhaps the most well-known pick and although doctors are not completely sure how it works, we know it does!
✱ IBUPROFEN AND ASPIRIN
These are part of a class of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and work to decrease the amount of prostaglandins being produced by the body. Prostaglandins promote inflammation and pain so decreasing them leads to pain relief. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are also available in topical form – in a gel to rub through the skin.
✱ CODEINE AND DIHYDROCODEINE
Available in low doses over the counter, these are opioid medications and work to block pain messages to the brain.
Some painkillers involve a combination of these medications. Or you may find medications such as paracetamol in combination with cold and flu medications or decongestants. That’s why it’s extremely important to check the packaging to ensure you don’t take more than the maximum daily dosage of any medicine.
Not all over-the-counter painkillers are suitable for everybody. Do you have asthma or a gastric ulcer? Then you may not be able to take ibuprofen. Some painkillers may also interact with other medications or may not be suitable for particular
