Rating of the best painkillers
Our drug rating, based on the feedback from patients and doctors, will help to figure out which painkillers must be in the home first-aid kit.
All painkillers are divided into two large groups: narcotic and non-narcotic. Narcotic analgesics eliminate pain by affecting certain parts of the brain. Drugs in this group are potent, can cause severe adverse reactions, including drug dependence. They are used in extremely severe conditions, mainly in hospitals, under strict medical supervision.
In outpatient practice for the relief of pain, non-narcotic pain medications are used, which include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antispasmodics and combined agents.
Analgesic tablets of the NSAID group
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a large group of drugs that differ in chemical structure, mechanism of action, strength of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effect. The drugs help to reduce pain and arrest the inflammatory processes in various acute and chronic diseases.
Benefits
The main advantage of nonsteroidal means is a wide scope. Drugs help eliminate pain after injuries and operations, with joint diseases (arthritis, gout, osteochondrosis), cope with migraine and headache, help with algodimenorrhea (pain during menstruation). In addition to the analgesic effect, NSAIDs inhibit the development of inflammatory processes, lower the temperature during acute viral and bacterial infections.
disadvantages
Pain relievers of the NSAID group are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, children (up to 6, 12 or 16 years). They have an extensive list of contraindications and side effects, among which most often there is damage to the digestive tract (mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, up to the formation of ulcers and bleeding) and kidneys. Often, the development of adverse reactions due to taking large doses of drugs or their long-term use. To eliminate the irritating effect of the funds on the stomach, they should be taken only after a meal.
Rating of the best painkillers pills of the NSAID group
Ketanov
The best analgesic drug based on Ketorolak is used for severe pain syndrome after injuries, burns, operations, as well as for severe toothache, hepatic and renal colic, otitis, joint diseases, oncologic pathologies. and intestines, hemorrhagic diathesis and stroke, pregnancy and breastfeeding, age up to 16 years. The drug is not used to treat chronic pain. Possible side effects of the drug include diarrhea, stomach pain, swelling. Rarely there are allergic reactions, flatulence and nausea, hearing impairment, high blood pressure. It is better to take pills once, but with strong pains, repeated administration is allowed. The maximum duration is 5 days.
pros
The best pain reliever - eliminates even very severe pain, when Nurofen, Baralgin and even Analgin's n-pains are not effective.
Well helps with dental and headaches, migraines, neuralgia.
The action lasts a long time (up to 8 hours).
Small tablets, easy to swallow.
Minuses
Effectively anesthetizes, but does not reduce inflammatory processes (unlike Nurofen and Diclofenac), therefore it is not the drug of choice for diseases of the joints.
Many contraindications.
You can not take toothache pills before visiting the dental office - anesthetics used during treatment may not work.
Cannot be taken longer than 5 days.
Dispensed from pharmacies by prescription.
Some cause severe drowsiness, lethargy.
After a long reception, there are problems with the stomach and bronchi (a dry cough appears).
Nurofen
Analgesic tablets based on ibuprofen have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic, moderate antipyretic effect. They are used for diseases of the joints, upper respiratory tract, migraine, headache and toothache. It is categorically forbidden to take the remedy for peptic ulcer, heart failure, severe forms of arterial hypertension, diseases of the optic nerve, intolerance to salicylic acid, impaired hearing, liver and kidney damage. Nurofen can cause disorders in the work of various body systems. Patients may experience flatulence, nausea, stomach pain, pancreatitis attacks, allergic reactions, headaches and dizziness, insomnia, acute renal failure, impairment of hearing.
pros
Well soothes headache, toothache, joint pain.
Quickly lowers the temperature of colds.
Minuses
It does not always help with back pain.
Often causes stomach pains, less often - allergic reactions.
Long, about an hour, wait for the effect.
If taken for a long time, addiction develops, the tablets do not anesthetize.
Diclofenac
The drug is used mainly for joint and muscle pain (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, exacerbation of gout), pain syndrome, provoked by injuries (fractures, contusions, dislocations). In addition to the relief of pain, it has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.
pros
An effective drug that helps reduce pain and inflammation in diseases of the joints.
Affordable tool.
Minuses
Irritant effect on the digestive tract, severe pain in the stomach after ingestion.
Very rarely, patients say no effectiveness of the drug.
Tablets do not last long, then the pain resumes.
Nise
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent based on nimesulide suppresses inflammatory processes, anesthetizes, has antipyretic effect. It is used for pain in the joints caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system, muscle pain, fevers of various origins. It quickly helps with headache and toothache, relieves pain and inflammation after injuries in the postoperative period.
pros
Excellent long-term remedy - removes pain for 12 hours.
Well removes headache, toothache, pain after injuries.
Tablets are not bitter.
Minuses
Anesthetizes not immediately, somewhere in 40-60 minutes after taking the pill.
When toothache acts less than Ketanov.
Severe irritant to the digestive organs, calls for nausea, discomfort in the liver. You can drink only with acute need, and if taken frequently, then have to treat gastritis.
Cause drowsiness, so there are restrictions on driving a car, controlling machinery and doing other potentially dangerous work.
Analgin
Metamizole sodium-based known anesthetic tablets belong to the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pyrazolone derivatives. In addition to the analgesic effect of the drug contributes to a decrease in body temperature, exhibits weak antispasmodic properties. It is used for pains of different origin - headache, toothache, neuralgia, arthralgia and myalgia, colic (liver, kidney, intestinal), after injuries or burns.
pros
A time-tested universal remedy that helps with headaches, neuralgia, arthralgia, rheumatism.
Quickly relieves pain (20–40 minutes after taking the pill).
Cheap pills.
Minuses
A large number of side effects, because of what Analgin is forbidden to use in many European countries.
Can not be used for abdominal pain (masks acute surgical pathology).
If taken frequently, addictive develops, the pills do not help.
No-spa
Drotaverine-based effective pain reliever belongs to the group of myotropic antispasmodics. The drug reduces the tone and physical activity of smooth muscles of internal organs, moderately dilates blood vessels. Like other painkillers of the antispasmodic group, No-shpa helps relieve pain from spasms of bladder smooth muscle, spastic colitis, diseases of the biliary tract and gall bladder, peptic ulcer. Also, No-shpa helps with headaches caused by spasm of blood vessels.
pros
Eliminates spasms of various origins.
Does not mask appendicitis and other surgical pathologies, does not complicate diagnostics (unlike Analgin and many other painkillers, can be used for abdominal pain).
The tool is relatively safe, with caution No-shpu can be taken by pregnant women and children.
Minuses
It helps only with cramps. With dental, joint, muscle pain, pain syndrome after injuries and burns, No-shpa will not help.
The pain passes no earlier than half an hour after taking the pill.
Weak effect, not always relieves completely.
Combination Analgesic Tablets
Combined painkillers as the main components contain both analgesic and antispasmodic.
Benefits
Through a combination of antispasmodic and analgesic drugs act on any kind of pain.
disadvantages
Due to the combined composition, the safety profile of drugs is reduced, the number of contraindications and side effects increases.
Citramon
Combined drug based on paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine eliminates pain, has a moderate anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. But as part of Citramone, it is contained in a low concentration (30 or 40 mg), therefore it has almost no stimulating effect on the nervous system, but only improves vascular tone and increases blood circulation. In addition, caffeine enhances the analgesic and antipyretic effects of paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid. Citramon eliminates pain syndrome with algomenorrhea, neuralgia, relieves pain in muscles and joints, helps with dental and headache, migraine. The tool has a very wide list of contraindications, due to the combined composition. Among them are polyposis, bronchial asthma, erosions and ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract, severe ischemic heart disease, hypertension, renal failure, glaucoma, vitamin K deficiency in the body, hemorrhagic diathesis, sleep disorders, increased nervous irritability, age 15 years, pregnancy, breastfeeding period and others.
pros
Quickly eliminates severe headaches, including those caused by changing the weather.
Minuses
A lot of contraindications and side effects.
May cause nausea.
Increases pressure.
Relieves mild and moderate pain, but with severe pain syndrome will not help.
If taken frequently, over a long period, the pills stop helping.
It is best to eliminate headaches, but with articular and muscular pains, it has a weak effect after injuries.
It interacts with many drugs (barbiturates, sulfonamides, including Biseptol, anticoagulants and others), enhances their toxicity while using it. Before use, be sure to read the instructions.
The bitter taste of pills, hard to swallow.
Novigan
The drug based on ibuprofen, fenpiverinium bromide and pitofenone has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic action. Appointed with intestinal, renal and biliary colic, dyskinesia of the biliary tract. Helps with headaches (including migraine). Used for short-term symptomatic treatment of pain in the joints, myalgia, ischalgia, neuralgia.
pros
It has a complex effect, helps with any pain, including girls during menstruation.
It acts quickly - 10–20 minutes after taking the pill.
Minuses
Some patients have a long time, about an hour, to wait for the effect.
A very large list of contraindications.
In some cases, after taking the pill, there is a nagging pain in the heart.
Other
Dexalgin
The drug belongs to nonsteroidal analgesics. It is used to relieve pain of medium and mild intensity. Also, the drug relieves the inflammatory process and has a moderate antipyretic effect. The active ingredient, dexketoprofen, reduces the synthesis of prostagladins and suppresses pain receptors. Dosage form: injections and tablets.
Advantages
It has a combined effect on the body: reduces inflammation, fever and pain;
after half an hour, begins to act;
improves the condition of the patient;
drug effect can last up to 6 hours;
well tolerated.
Disadvantages
not suitable for long-term therapy;
There are contraindications: bronchial asthma, hypersensitivity, diseases of the liver, heart, kidney, pregnancy, lactation.
Ketorolac
The most effective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory remedy for toothache. The drug also has an anti-inflammatory effect and relieves pain for 6-7 hours. Ideal to survive the night and go to the doctor.
pros
prolonged action;
relieves inflammation.
Minuses
contraindicated to receive up to 16 years and pregnant.
Indometacin
Inexpensive and effective tool is produced by both Bulgarian and Russian manufacturers. The medicine must be used with food and with milk. The maximum dose is 6 tablets per day.
pros
apply not only for painful menstruation (broad spectrum analgesic);
long analgesic effect (up to 4 hours).
Minuses
Do not use under the age of 14 years.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is used for varying degrees of pain. Reception is preferable between meals for 2-3 tablets no more than 4 times a day. While taking pills, you should abandon actions that require high concentration of attention, for example, driving a car.
pros
released without a prescription;
valid for 20 minutes;
possible use for children from 6 years.
Minuses
should abandon driving vehicles.
Xefokam
Tablets in green blisters eliminates high-intensity pain in muscles and joints. The action of the drug lasts for a long period - about 10 hours, therefore it is enough to take one tablet per day to stop experiencing discomfort. Possible consequences for the kidneys, you need to consult a doctor.
pros
long lasting effect (10 hours);
quick action (15 minutes after ingestion).
Minuses
banned during pregnancy.
Tempalgin
Bulgarian green pills do an excellent job with pain of different intensity. In addition, they lower the temperature, relieve inflammation and relax.
pros
possible to use from 14 years;
antipyretic effect.
Minuses
can not be taken during pregnancy.
Baralgin M
The effect of the drug, you can feel after 30 minutes, and its maximum effect is achieved after 1.5 hours. Relieves pain, reduces fever and inflammation.
pros
rapid anesthesia at fracture (30 min.);
possible use during pregnancy.
Minuses
possible allergic reaction.
What painkillers can be given to children
It happens that you need to give pain pills to a child. Here are the medicines that are allowed to take children:
Drotaverine;
MIG.
Consider each drug.
Drotaverine
The drug can be taken from 3 years, relieves inflammation and pain, reduces the temperature. Children are allowed to take no more than one tablet per day, for a small body is enough.
MIG 400
German-made tablets are allowed to receive from 12 years. The drug relieves headaches and toothaches, reduces inflammation, but is contraindicated in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.