BEST PAINKILLERS FOR: HEADACHES: Nurofen 400mg Liquid Capsules £4.75 for ten
'For a low-level headache, ordinary ibuprofen is the perfect painkiller,' says Angela. 'But because these are in liquid form, they're more readily absorbed into the body, reaching your pain receptors more quickly.
BEST PAINKILLERS FOR: PERIOD PAIN: Boots Period Pain Relief Tablets £4.29 for nine
Good news if you get debilitating cramps during your period. These contain naproxren, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that blocks the production of prostaglandins, the hormones that cause period pain.
BEST PAINKILLERS FOR: MUSCLE PAIN: Ibuleve Maximum Strength Gel, £7.09 for 50g
For localised pain, try a rub-on gel. Ibuleve is absorbed quickly through the skin but, warns Angela Chalmers, consultant pharmacist at Boots, 'You need to work it into the muscle for ten minutes.' For strong pain that covers a larger area, ask your pharmacist for painkillers with antiinflammatory diclofenac.
BEST PAINKILLERS FOR: TOOTHACHE: Panadol Ultra Tablets, £3.99 for 20
For an ache, ibuprofen is fine, but if you’re in severe pain, you’ll want something stronger until you can see
the dentist. Panadol Ultra contains codeine – a mild opioid from the same family as morphine, and probably the strongest non-prescription analgesic.
BEST PAINKILLERS FOR: HANGOVER: Boots Paracetamol Capsules £0.99 for 16
If you can't face food or have been vomiting, stay away from stomach-irritating ibuprofen or multi-ingredient painkillers. Instead, go for an ownbrand paracetamol. Combine with rehydration sachets to get your fluid and electrolyte levels back up to normal.
- Beware of codeine-based painkillers. Use these only in extreme cases, such as dental agony or debilitating pain after an accident. Codeine tends to be included in stronger medicines and can become addictive after just three days. You can also develop chronic daily headache syndrome by taking paracetamol too often.
- Take your tablets correctly. Ideally, swallow them with cold water. Hot liquids dissolve the tablets' outer layers, so you could get one stuck in your throat. Take them after food to avoid indigestion, an upset stomach, nausea, cramps or, in extreme cases, stomach ulcers. (Paracetamol can be taken on an empty stomach.)
- Mix painkillers with care. Adults can take ibuprofen and paracetamol together, but it's best to stagger doses to give more prolonged, consistent relief, noting down the times in your diary. And never mix aspirin and ibuprofen; they're in the same drug family so you'll be doubling your doses.
