Best painkiller

[Rasman]

Over the counter painkillers.
I've been temporarily sleeping in less than luxurious conditions for a few days and now I've developed chest and upper back muscular aches.
I've found Paracetamol ineffective so I'm now trying Nurofen. It's still Ibuprofen but cheaper. Is it worth paying the extra for Ibuprofen or is it the same thing marketed under another brand name?
Is there a better alternative?

[bednobs]

ibuprofen and nuerofen are exactly the same thing, so get whatever is cheapest. I'd be really surprised if neurofen is cheaper than the chemist own brand ibuprofen, which is usually abou 30p.

[treetops1]

Get my Ibuprofen from Morrisons about 30p why pay for a brand.

[Sqad]

Nurofen is an excellent choice for your muscular pains and yes it does contain Ibuprofen.

[jd_1984]

Not exactly related to your circumstances but when I get muscular pain after training sessions, I find that an ibuprofen gel targets muscular pain quicker and more effectively..

[woofgang]

the base analgesic is the same...you might find that one of the ones with additives that male it act faster are worth paying for...some have caffeine in which you might not want.
I would try hot baths or showers and gentle stretching exercises.

[bednobs]

ps, nothing to stop you taking both paracetamol and ibuprofen alternately so you have more coverage, as long as you don't take more than the recommended dose of either

[gingejbee]

Many will argue differently, but the generic and branded versions are the same. I never buy branded medecines.

[mike11111]

I am surprised that Nurofen is cheaper as I thought it was a branded version of Ibuprofen and would therefore be dearer. There is no difference in the active ingredients so buy the cheaper one. Co-codamol (Paracetamol + codeine) is also good; that's what I take.

[gingejbee]

I'm sure Rasman has this wrong way round!

[craft1948]

I use Tesco Ibuprofen and also their Ibuprofen gel.

[Rasman]

You're right gingejbee, it was a case of what was available as packaged, lots of tablets with one name or a few of the other.
I didn't stand there in Morrisons and work out the maths!

Now I know, thanks all.

[Rasman]

Mike11111, is Co-codamol available over the counter?
I was on that with the Codeine after a partially slipped disc about 15 years ago. Can you get that now without a prescription?

[mike11111]

Yes, it's available over the counter. There are only 8mg of Codeine to 500 mg of Paracetamol, but it is much more effective than plain Paracetamol. Prices vary wildy. Boots are the dearest - cheapest I can find is Morrison's @ 99p for 32.

[rowanwitch]

you can also get low strength diclofenac (voltarol) over the counter but at the strength it is sold you might as well stick with ibuprofen

[mike11111]

Incidentally, if you pay for your prescriptions it is much cheaper to buy it than get a prescription.

[Lou_Lou26]

Co-codomol. oh and deep freeze gel!!!
You can take ibruprofen based pills and paracetomol ones at the same time so double up if you need to.

[Rasman]

Thanks for all your answers.

Ray.

[Hopkirk]

I don't find paracetomol does anything for that sort of pain.

Ibuprofen is the answer, or better still - a better mattress.