Paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin can be bought at the kiosk, at the gas station, at the checkout in the supermarket. We reach for them when we have a headache or a toothache. Although they are sold over the counter, they must not be ingested without moderation. Although they seem similar, they are very different. How do the most frequently purchased painkillers work? When to use them and in what doses are they safe?
Paracetamol - the most commonly used pain reliever
ACTION:analgesic and antipyretic; Unlike painkillers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, it does not have an anti-inflammatory effect.
FOR WHOM:adults and children (even the youngest) FORM: tablets, suppositories, syrups
AT APTECE:Apap, Choligrip, Codipar, Coldrex, Efferalgan, Febrisan, Fervex, Gripex, Grypolek, Grypstop, Metafen (also contains ibuprofen), Panadol, Paracetamol, Saridon , Tabcin, Teraflu
WHEN TO USE:pain in muscles, joints, bones, teeth, head (including migraine), neuralgia, menstrual pain, fever, as well as pain after dental and surgical procedures . PROS: it is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, reaches its maximum concentration in the blood after 30-60 minutes. The analgesic effect lasts 4-6 hours after taking the drug, the antipyretic effect - 6-8 hours. The drug does not interfere with blood clotting. It is gentle on the gastric mucosa. It can be taken by people with high blood pressure, diabetes and asthmatics.
CONS:it is easy to overdose and then it harms the liver. It should not be used for more than 5 days. In patients with renal failure, paracetamol accumulates in the blood. It interacts with most antiviral drugs. Paracetamol is not recommended for people who abuse alcohol.
IMPORTANT!Included in complex painkillers. When taking more than one such drug, you need to check which of them contain paracetamol, so as not to exceed the permitted dose.
Ibuprofen - works not only for pain relief, but also anti-inflammatory
ACTION:anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic. It belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
FOR WHOM:adults,from 6 months
FORM:tablets, suspensions, suppositories, gels (capsules or tubes)
AT APTECE:Acatar, Aprofen, Brufen, Bufenik, Dip Rilif, Dolgit, Ibalgin, Ibufen, Ibum, Ibumax, Ibupar, Ibuprofen, Ibuprom, Iburion, Kidofen, Metafen , Nurofen
WHEN TO USE:helps with period pains, headaches, toothaches; as an anti-inflammatory drug recommended in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, after injuries and inflammation of tendons, ligaments, muscles and joint capsules.
PROS:has an analgesic effect already 30 minutes after taking it and this effect lasts for 4-6 hours. It is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine. The maximum concentration is reached 1-2 hours after taking the tablet, and one hour after administration of the suspension. It does not accumulate in the body, it is excreted in the urine within 24 hours.
CONS:overdosing may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, but there is no risk to the liver (as with paracetamol). An allergic reaction may appear - rash, rhinitis, erythema, swelling. Ibuprofen must not be taken in active peptic ulcer disease, caution should be exercised in asthma, renal, hepatic and heart failure. IMPORTANT! Alcohol increases the effect of the drug. Ibuprofen given with other NSAIDs may cause cross-allergy.
Aspirin
ACTION:analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory, and with long-term use also anticoagulant - inhibits the ability of platelets to aggregate and form clots. It is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
FOR WHOM:adults, children from 12 years of age
FORM:tablets, effervescent tablets and gastro-resistant tablets At APTECE: Acard, Acesan, Alka Prim, Alka Seltzer, Aspirin, Bestpirin, Cardiopirin, Encopirin, Etopyrin, Polocard, Polopyrine , Salpirin, Upsarin, Flu tablets
WHEN TO USE:fever, muscle and joint pain, toothache, headache. Small doses are used in heart attack, coronary artery disease and stroke. PROS: versatile action (relieves pain, reduces fever, heals inflammation). The drug is absorbed partly from the stomach, mostly from the small intestine. It works just 15-30 minutes after taking it, the effect lasts for 4-6 hours.
MINUSES:to protect the stomach, it is recommended to use the smallest doses, the drug is forbidden for people with gastric or duodenal ulcers, because it contributes to reducing the secretion of protective mucus by the stomach walls, as well as those with blood coagulation disorders, haemorrhagic diseases (e.g. haemophilia).Caution should be exercised in the case of chronic respiratory diseases, allergic rhinitis and polyps in the nose. The drug must not be used simultaneously with methotrexate in a dose exceeding 15 mg per week, in diabetics treated with oral sulfonylureas and in people receiving gout.
IMPORTANT!The drug must be discontinued one week before the planned surgery, so that the ability of platelets to aggregate returns to its original state, i.e. easy clotting.
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