Pain Relief and Medications

Paracetamol

In April of this year the Federal Health Minister announced that paracetamol, antacids, aspirin and other basic medicines could be removed from the list of subsidised medicines. Under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or PBS, the government subsidises the cost of medicine. Paracetamol, antacids, and aspirin are listed on the PBS and are subsidised when they are provided on script at a chemist.

These medications, which are also available over-the-counter, are being accessed on script at high cost to government In 2013-14, 6.7 million scripts for paracetamol (or Panadol) were filled, which cost taxpayers $73 million.

Recent research has also concluded that paracetamol is ineffective for low back pain or for osteoarthritis hip or knee pain. Paracetamol is also sold under trade names of Panadol (including Panadol Osteo) and Panamax. This large international study found that paracetamol does not give pain relief for people with back pain or osteoarthritis pain in the hip and knee.

Most international clinical guidelines recommend paracetamol as the “first choice” of treatment for low back pain and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. However, a trial last year questioned the use of paracetamol to treat low back pain and this recent review concluded that paracetamol is no better than a placebo at treating low back pain.

An analysis of 10 other clinical trials by the researchers quantified for the first time that paracetamol has no effect on reducing pain from osteoarthritis in the knee and hip. Consequently there are calls to review the current guidelines for the management of osteoarthritis.The most effective management of osteoarthritis is to be a healthy weight and stay active.

Learn More: Beginners guide to osteoarthritis of the knee

Nurofen

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has initiated court proceedings against the manufacturers of Nurofen for false or misleading claims. Nurofen has four products that it claims are formulated to treat a particular type of pain, but the products are identical. The Nurofen Product range consists of Nurofen Back Pain, Nurofen Period Pain, Nurofen Migraine Pain, and Nurofen Tension Headache.

Each Nurofen Specific Pain Product was claimed to:

• Be designed and formulated to treat a particular type of pain
• Have specific efficacy in treating a particular type of pain
• Solely treat a particular type of pain

These representations are false or misleading because the caplets in all four products are identical. The recommended retail price for 24-tablet packets of the specific pain Nurofen products is $12.99 compared to $5.99 for an equivalent package of the conventional Nurofen.

If you are experiencing any kind of pain and not finding pain relief from medications alone, please contact us here or book an online appointment