Anadin Extra –V- Ibuprofen

[naomi24]

Which is the more effective pain killer? I was using Anadin Extra until my dentist told me to get Ibuprofen, but I don’t find that nearly as effective, which surprises me because Ibuprofen seems to be what everyone recommends. Is it just me?

[Baldric]

We always go for Ibuprofen, (that way we can monitor the situation!)

Seriously Ibuprofen works for us.

[237SJ]

You just have to use what's best for you. I have a friend who swears by Anadin. I take Ibuprofen or Naproxen if there is inflammation involved but for pure pain relief, I like paracetamol. Different tablets for different situations, I guess.

[Mamyalynne]

I was always a fan of aspirin as a pain reliever, I haven't to take it now as combined with my other meds it can increase the risk of tummy bleeds.

However for occasional use if you find it works I would use what suits you best.

[Sqad]

237SJ @17;41 says it all.

[Jackdaw33]

Anadin is just glorified aspirin. I don't know what the 'extra' is but I bet it's not cheap. Ibuprofen is dirt cheap and I find it effective. If you find 2 x 200 mg doesn't do the trick try 3 x 200 mg, 3 times a day. It won't do you any harm and is likely to be moree effective. I think Sqad would back me up here.

[Prudie]

Despite what the experts tell us I think what works for you is the way to go (providing some other condition prevents the painkiller of your choice). I have always been a fan of aspirin, I think it's a wonder drug and works for me. Paracetamol has no effect on me at all, ibuprofen is OK.

[Buenchico]

Using branded products, rather than generic ones, is always a waste of money.

Anadin Extra contains aspirin (300mg), paracetamol (200mg) and caffeine (45mg). So taking a generic aspirin tablet together with a generic paracetamol one, swigged down with a cup of coffee, is roughly the same as taking Anadin Extra (and a great deal cheaper).

The NHS website recommends taking either ibuprofen or paracetamol for dental pain:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/toothache/

When treating any type of pain though, it's worth remembering how each one works. Ibuprofen (along with aspirin, diclofenac and naproxen)is an anti-inflammatory drug. Such drugs seek to reduce the inflammation which is causing pain. (So they're good at providing pain relief when it's related to inflammation but useless when there's no inflammation involved). Paracetamol doesn't act against inflammation but, instead, tries to block the pain signals to your brain. (Opioids, such as codeine, also block pain signals but in a different way).

[jourdain2]

Both 1g paracetamol and ibuprofen work fine for me when my back starts up. If muscle strain is involved I take ibuprofen to help minimise muscle inflammation.

[naomi24]

Thanks so much for all your replies. Does anyone know if the effectiveness of either of the drugs I mentioned is affected by the use of antibiotics alongside them?

[Sqad]

There is no attenuation or indeed diminution of the effect of antibiotics when used with the above mentioned pain killers.

[naomi24]

Thanks sqad - and all. I'll carry on taking the tablets. :o/

[jno]

I bought some Ibuprofen in Australia a few years ago and was surprised to read on the instructions that it wasn't to be taken by people over 60. I've no idea if there's any validity to that, and it probably doesn't apply to you anyway.

But yes, take what works for you.

[Jackdaw33]

I am surprised to read that. I often take Ibuprofen and I am well over 60. Perhaps Sqad would care to comment when he has time.

[Mamyalynne]

There has been much written over the last few years about all NSAIDs - as is always the case, experts don't all agree.

One such article here.

https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/nurofen-drug-ibuprofen-linked-to-30-increased-risk-of-cardiac-arrest-20170317-gv02ds.html

[Cloverjo]

I'm surprised about the over 60 restriction. My OH was prescribed a triple dose of ibuprofen while recovering from surgery. He was way over 60 at the time.

[Peter Pedant]

pain is personal - go for what you find works

If you take ibuprofen you should also be taking Lansop.
Anadin I have no experience with ( not used in children)

you should start with paracetamol 15 mg/kg but no one ever does and take it regularly as it is known that regular dosing uses less overall. add in ibuprofen
well tried and tested but no one ever does it

[sunny-dave]

Different pain needs different meds (for me at least).

Headaches and teeth and general muscle 'achiness' has me reaching for the Paracetamol (with low dose codeine if needed) - joint pain and my favourite 'oh *** my back is playing up' needs Ibuprofen - again with added codeine as the nuclear option.

I do agree with PP though - for a particularly intransigent pain then alternating Paracetamol and Ibuprofen at maximum dose with each on a four hour rotation (so you get some pills every two hours) can be the answer.

[jno]

I've not seen that instruction on Ibuprofen in any other country, jackdaw, it may be just a local quirk. Don't take it on an empty stomach, though.

[Gromit]

Use whatever works best for you, but beware of the side effects of both if you are using daily/constantly.
High Asprin doses cause bleeds mainly in the stomach, but also elsewhere as it ‘thins’ the blood.
A lot of Ibuprofen causes an higher probability of heart attack. So best not to max out on either, even if you are in a lot of pain.

[Sqad]

https://www.the-scientist.com/the-nutshell/ibuprofen-extends-life-36188

Take Ibuprofen and you will live longer.

https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/ibuprofen-unlikely-to-extend-life/

Oops! no you won't.

Trawl the net and you will get any thread which will support your argument one way or another .

All drugs have "may" have unwanted side effects and analgesics are no different. You take pain killers for the relief of the pain and increase the dose for pain relief and if this has no effect then stop taking them and look to another regime that is effective.

Jackdaw, I have no idea why patients over the age of 60 should be wary of ibuprofen.

the internet is a boon to most aspects of life (so i am told) but in medicine it is the bain of the medical practitioners' life, especially mine on AB.If one knows what one is talking about and particularly when the diagnosis is beyond doubt, then the Internet comes into it's own, but this is not always the case.