Taking Painkillers - 1 Every 2 Hours Or 2 Every 4 Hours? Which Is Best?

[joko]

I realise most say 2 every 4 hours on the packaging - but is there any benefit to taking 1 every 2 hours instead.
obviously the overall daily dose is the same - there is no more or less pills being taken, but anyone done this? or been advised to?

or is there really no difference?

my thought process is that since they are tablets, not capsules, they dissolve amd release a load of painkiller all at approx the same time, but then maybe start to wear off towards the end of the 4 hour period?
so you need the next dose asap
but taking one every 2 hours would mean you are keeping it at a 'full' strength' and 'even level' longer, like topping it up midway, before the tablets have chance to wear off, since 4 hours seems to be their 'lifespan', and since there is a 4 hour span there will be an overlap of the last one you took.
This is assuming you are taking the pills every 4 hours all day

thanks

[Old_Geezer]

I'd take them as needed. But try not to go much over the recommended maximum dose.

[Sqad]

It is a matter of "pain relief."..........if one tablet relieves the pain then base the regularity on one tablet every two hours or if the pain is only relieved by two tablets, then take two tablets every 2 hours or 4 hours.

Manage your pain relief by dosage and not by regularity.

[dannyk13]

Take them as advised on the package.

[pixie374]

I can't imagine halving the dose and taking more often is any help at all tbh (just a non-medical opinion). Painkillers work best when they relieve the pain, and are topped up... appropriately.
There are many you can alternate, such as co-codamol or paracetamol /ibuprofen, which means pain is kept on top of better.
Which painkillers are they?

[RATTER15]

No, I wouldnt. it cant be at full strength for the first hour or so if you only have half the dose. I understand what you are saying but I dont think it would work like that. It also depends what pain killers you are taking. If it is paracetamol for instance, you could take them every four hours and also take ibuprofen every four hours but staggered so you are taking them 2 hourly.

[johnk]

I used 2 every 4 hours but only if needed. I managed to get off them in the end.