OTC options
OTC options
As you will be aware, many consultations with customers are about pain. The types and causes of pain vary greatly, and may include toothache, headache, period pains and muscular aches and pains. Customers will be seeking advice on the most appropriate pain relief to meet their needs.
The main OTC options for oral pain relief are:
PARACETAMOL
to relieve pain and reduce fever. Typically used for mild-to-moderate pain such as headache, toothache and sprains.1
NON-STEROIDAL
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
DRUGS (NSAIDs)
such as ibuprofen, naproxen (for period pain only) and aspirin. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years.2
COMBINATION
PRODUCTS SUCH AS
CO-CODAMOL
which is a combination of paracetamol and codeine. Customers should be reminded that they should only take products containing codeine on a short-term basis (up to three days), and that they may cause drowsiness and addiction.