1 in 3 Brits does not know the difference between common painkillers

A new study shows that consumers are confused about common painkillers.

I have received some interesting information from Panadol, who carried out a survey into people's knowledge of common pain killers.

They found that 1 in 3 people is confused by painkillers, not knowing the difference between common household medicines such as paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen. Worryingly despite this, a third of Brits admit to taking the first painkiller they can find when suffering from a headache.

The research also found that:
  • Women know best - 39% of women carefully consider what painkiller to take compared to only 27% of men
  • Men can take the pain - 41% of men don’t take any pain relief compared to 24% of women
  • The £4.6 billion headache – employees cost UK business £4.6 billion in days off work due to common pains such as headaches, backache, period pains and toothache.


Women were revealed to have superior knowledge of pain relief, with 51% of women aware of which painkillers can be unsuitable for those with heart problems, asthma or digestive disorders compared to only 41% of men.

Women were also more likely than men (39% vs. 27%) to make a more considered choice of painkiller, first pinpointing the pain, then pausing to consider what to do before then taking the most suitable painkiller.

Employer’s £4.6 billion headache
Further findings show that Brits take an average of 3 days off work each year due to painful problems such as headaches, feverishness and toothache. This equates to a whopping £4.6 billion in wasted wages each year which employers have to pick up the tab for.

What you should know : The Four Ps of Pain relief
  1. Pinpoint
    You start to feel not quite right. Before you do anything, stop and pinpoint your pain. For example is it a headache or are you suffering from eye strain?
  2. Pause
    Once you have identified your pain, pause and think ‘how can I help myself?’ For example by drinking more water (are you dehydrated?) or would a massage or a warm bath help?
  3. Pharmacist
    If you feel that you need advice on pain relief ask your pharmacist. There are times when certain painkillers might not suit you. If you are unsure what’s right for you, ask your pharmacist before you buy.
  4. Pain Relief
    Paracetamol can be used as a first-choice pain reliever in most situations. It works differently to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin & ibuprofen so doesn’t interact with most other medicines and can be taken by people with most medical conditions. Paracetamol has fewer significant side effects than other common painkillers, is effective at tackling pain yet is gentle on the stomach. As with all medicines, people should always refer to the label for instructions.


Further information
You can request a leaflet by calling 0207 340 0451 or visiting www.mypainrelief.com
This content was created on Mon 6 November 2006

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