Over The Counter Pain Relief Medicines

Over The Counter Pain Relief Medicines

Pain Relief Medicines Are Not Without Their Risks

Often when people are in pain and simple measures like using ice or heat or rest aren’t effective at reducing their pain they reach for pain relief medicines. For mild to moderate pain the use of simple over the counter pain relief medications can be effective in helping manage problems such as headaches, back pain and neck pain…
Being over the counter medication does not mean that these medications are 100% safe without potential side effects. Because all painkillers and anti-inflammatories have potential side effects, it is always important to weigh up the pros and cons of taking pain relief medications.

Remember to always check with the pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure whether your chosen pain relief medications are safe for you.

Pain Killers Verses Anti-Inflammatories

Analgesics are a group of medications used to achieve analgesia, pain relief. Within the category of analgesic medications there are a number of drugs that achieve an analgesic effect in various ways. Your choice of which over the counter pain relief medication is best for you can be determined by the type of pain experienced.
One group of painkillers are called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) these medications are effective when the pain is believed to be as a result of inflammation. And include common brand name medications like Voltaren and Neurophen.
Many pain killers have several different names for example, paracetamol is often referred to as Panadol, Panamax… The actual name of the drug is Acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen is a pain relief medicating that is effective for relieving mild to moderate pain that isn’t related to inflammation.

Panadol, Panadine, Voltaren, Neurophen… Are all brand name pain killers (analgesics) they just achieve their desired effect through different ways and therefore each should be considered depending on the nature and cause of the pain.
In the blog titled Common Over The Counter Pain Relievers we will briefly discuss a couple of common over the counter analgesics that provide pain relief in mild non inflammatory disorders.

Please Note: Sydney physiotherapists are not registered to prescribe medications.

Disclaimer: Sydney Physio Clinic provides this information as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specific advice or assistance on Over The Counter Pain Relief Medicines should consult his or her general practitioner, sports medicine specialist, orthopedic surgeon, pharmacist or otherwise appropriately skilled practitioner.