Painkiller combinations cost more but are less effective: Report

In a new article in the journal Australian Prescriber, there is a warning that combination painkillers cause more side effects and may not provide the relief promised. This comes from the National Prescribing Service (NPS), Australia's medicine review body.

The article says that the fever medicine Paracetamol combined with certain levels of codeine can be effective for people in acute pain after operations in some cases. But authors write that Paracetamol is more effective on its own than when it is combined with lower doses of codeine. Most of these combinations they write contain less than 30 milligrams of codeine, the minimum amount for a painkiller to take effect.

For acute post-operative pain, evidence suggests a 60mg codeine dose is required. There are pain relievers for toothache, migraine and back pain that contain as little as 8 milligrams of codeine per pill but cost two to three times more, according to the review. One pack of Paracetamol costs $2 or less while codeine combinations cost between $6 and $12 depending on strength the article says.

According to review author Bridin Murnion, staff specialist at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital moves to limit the availability of codeine preparations would reduce harm without limiting patients' options significantly. NPS acting chief executive Karen Kaye also pointed out that codeine could be addictive but because it was available only in combination with paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen, people could be consuming more than needed of these products too. “Overuse or misuse of products containing aspirin or ibuprofen can result in gastric ulcer perforation or, in products containing paracetamol, liver toxicity or death,” she said.

The report brings to notice that there are 40 different combination painkillers are available in Australia. Many of these are available over the counter without a prescription. There is also a risk of overdose if more than one product is taken at once. The review concluded that government limitation on codeine preparations would reduce harm to patients without limiting their options. Products containing less than 12mg of codeine per pill have faced tougher restrictions since May 1 this year.

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Mandal, Ananya. (2018, August 23). Painkiller combinations cost more but are less effective: Report. News-Medical. Retrieved on December 24, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20100801/Painkiller-combinations-cost-more-but-are-less-effective-Report.aspx.

  • MLA

    Mandal, Ananya. "Painkiller combinations cost more but are less effective: Report". News-Medical. 24 December 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/news/20100801/Painkiller-combinations-cost-more-but-are-less-effective-Report.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Mandal, Ananya. "Painkiller combinations cost more but are less effective: Report". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20100801/Painkiller-combinations-cost-more-but-are-less-effective-Report.aspx. (accessed December 24, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Mandal, Ananya. 2018. Painkiller combinations cost more but are less effective: Report. News-Medical, viewed 24 December 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20100801/Painkiller-combinations-cost-more-but-are-less-effective-Report.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Researchers gain new understanding of how immune cells respond to heat during fever