Which painkiller should I take?

They're readily available without prescription, but knowing which to reach for in different situations will help bring your pain under control fast

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Most of us experience pain at some point. Often, it’s a rare event, but for others, pain is more frequent or even a chronic, everyday experience.

But when a headache, toothache, or period pain strikes, which type of painkiller should you reach for, how should you take it, and could it be harmful to you? Here’s what to take to combat short-term or ‘acute’ pain.

There are lots of different painkillers – also known as analgesics – available from your local supermarkets or pharmacies. Some are taken orally, while others are creams or gels for topical application.

Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used analgesics. Exactly how it works is not fully understood, but it’s thought to be involved in blocking neurochemical messengers – which tell the brain that you are in pain – and it can also work to bring down a fever.

Most adults can take paracetamol safely but check with your pharmacist first. The adult dose is two 500mg tablets every four to six hours with a maximum of four doses (eight 500mg tablets) in a 24-hour period. It can take up to an hour to work and can be dangerous if you exceed the dose. It’s often in cold and flu tablets, so check you’re not accidentally doubling up.

Paracetamol is, however, safe to be taken with ibuprofen, which is one of a group of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You can buy it as tablets or as a gel or cream, which you apply topically – direct to the painful area.