So, you’ve got a simple headache and you reach for the packet of…aspirin or paracetamol? What’s your preference? Do you think one works better than the other? I know the side-effects of too much of either, but assuming you take the recommended dose, what’s your pain-killer of choice?
Paracetamol isn’t available in the US. We have soemthing similar (I think) called Acetominphen that nearly everyone calls by its brand name (Tylenol).
In the States I would venture to guess that a third choice, ibubrofen (Advil, Motrin are 2 popular brand names), is more popular than Tylenol and aspirin put together.
I always take a brand called Kodimagnyl containing codein and acetyl acid (not sure if that is the right english translation, they just seem to work fast and effectively on me.
The various brands containing paracetamol doesn’t seem to work as well on me, in my experience.
Naproxen sodium (like Aleve). The other two rarely work on me.
I always take a brand called Kodimagnyl containing codein and acetyl acid (not sure if that is the right english translation, they just seem to work fast and effectively on me.
The various brands containing paracetamol doesn’t seem to work as well on me, in my experience.
Paracetamol - but only after non drug methods have failed.
So why isn’t paracetamol available in the USA?
I’ve found that Mersyndol (which is a paracetamol) works best for me.
But only after ALL non drug methods have failed 
Goo, if I’m not mistaken, Mersyndol is indeed a paracetamol base, but it’s also got a hefty amount of codeine in it - which is probably why it works! 
It’s one of the strongest over-the-counter painkillers available in Australia.
For me, I’m an aspirin person. Paracetamol does nothing at all. If I need stronger relief, I use Aspalgin, which is the aspirin version of Mersyndol (aspirin + codeine).
TheLoadedDog, you’re right. I just went to check the package and it says “each capsule contains 500mg Paracetamol and 9.6mg Codeine Phosphate”
All I know is one capsule knocks me out for a good nine hours or more.
Advil (ibuprofen) is my Miracle Drug ™. I use it for headaches, migraine, PMS, sore muscles, etc. My SO even used it for a mild fever once. It just seems to work for us, and its the only pain reliever we have in the apartment (well, other than 2 tiny Tylenol pills I got in a spam-package-giveaway at school).
Oh - and a quick Google search reveals that paracetamol and tylenol are the same thing: acetaminaphen,
HO - Ph - NH-C-CH[sub]3[/sub]
||
O
eek…that double-bond O belongs under that lonely C (teach me to preview!)
Well, let me throw another one into the mix: I like ketoprofen, the active ingredient in Orudis KT. Knocks my headaches out quickly and permanently (well, for the day at least).
With the ‘Profen’ suffix, I’m assuming that your analgesic has an anti-inflammatory component as well Max. I could’a done with a couple of those yesterday I reckon…or something with a substantial dose of codeine. Hey, I would’ve been amenable to a swift injection of something illegal if it came to that!!
A quick search reveals that ketoprofen is indeed an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), the same family as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Wouldn’t you know it, there’s even an official ketoprofen site.
no painkillers for me, not even aspirin.
I endure the pain. Besides, there are 2 main causes of head aches, with 2 very simple cures:
-
pressure headache. caused by stress, usually. Best known cure: orgasm.
-
dehydration headache (ie: hangover). caused by diuretic effect alcohol and caffeine have. best known cure: Drinking water.
Aleve does it for me
Depends. I tend to get migraines and in the early stages they are best avoided with a couple of Advils. But as I’ve found out the hard way, once they’ve progressed beyond a certain point, only Aspirin will help. Which is bad because I get stomach cramps from Aspirin.
This is one of my pet peeves because it caused me so many bad days as a teenager, because I was listening to people who said: “Don’t take too many painkillers, you must ENDURE the pain. It’s the natural way to let your headache go away on it’s own.”
No, it won’t. I have migraines, which only get worse as time progresses, and yes, they will still be there the next day. But if I take one itty bitty advil at the headache’s onset, I won’t be in excruciating pain for the next 12 hours.
depends on the headache, dpends on the person.
aspirin is an anticoagulant and isn’t recommended for people on some medications or with some diseases. it’s not particularly effective against moderate to severe pain.
ibuprofen isn’t recommended for asthmatics, and should be taken with food, but it’s effective.
paracetamol (acetominophen) is a good NSAID, but is most effective when combined with either aspirin or codeine.
i say, if it works for you, keep taking it (but not more than the recommended dose, and not every day, without speaking to a doctor).
migraine-like headaches should be investigated, as should any headache which is focused, severe and re-occurring, and which responds poorly to analgaesics.
a VERY severe headache (think worst headache of your life), focused at the back of the head, with a sudden onset and escalating pain is a symptom of a subarachnoid heamorrhage and should never be ignored.