LONDON, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Stronger and Effective for Longer Versus Standard Paracetamol
Tablets, as Shown in a Dental Pain Study^[1]

A new non-prescription painkiller is now available in pharmacies across the UK, heralding the first UK painkiller combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol in 'over-the-counter' pain relief. NUROMOL is the UK's first clinically-proven painkiller to combine the power of ibuprofen and paracetamol in one tablet. In a dental pain study, one tablet of Nuromol was shown to provide pain relief that is significantly stronger than a 1000mg paracetamol and 30mg codeine combination^[2*].  

*The maximum OTC dose in the UK is 1000mg paracetamol and 25.6mg codeine.  This comparison relates to cumulative pain relief over 12 hours following a single dose.

'NUROMOL is a new painkiller, which we hope will help more people obtain stronger pain relief than you can get from ibuprofen or paracetamol alone,' says Trevor Gore, Training Manager, Healthcare,  'and NUROMOL is available without a prescription in pharmacies across the country.'

 'Paracetamol and ibuprofen work in different ways to relieve pain,' says Dr Hicks.   'It makes absolute sense to combine these two painkillers in one tablet, making it ideal for people with dental pain, migraine, and period pains, which may require stronger and longer-lasting pain relief than can be delivered by either ibuprofen or paracetamol on their own.'

Why is a new painkiller needed?  

Pharmacies already sell a baffling range of different painkillers - many of them containing combinations of different products. A closer look at the labels, however, reveals that the vast majority contain either ibuprofen or paracetamol, sometimes in combination with caffeine or a mild opioid such as codeine.^[3] All these painkillers work in different ways; some (e.g. paracetamol) work in the brain to block pain signals, while others (e.g. ibuprofen) also work at the site of pain.

Ibuprofen and paracetamol have a well established safety profile and are recommended and used by GPs and pain specialists around the world.^[3] Codeine-containing painkillers can potentially lead to dependency and addiction after prolonged use,^[3] which has recently prompted the UK health authorities to restrict their use, limit pack sizes, and add prominent warnings to labels and advertising.^[4]

Although currently-available, non-prescription painkillers are effective for most people but a recent Opinion Health survey^[5] found that over 80% of respondents had taken a painkiller that had not offered sufficient pain relief or relieved their pain for long enough. Dental pain appears to be particularly difficult to treat, with over half (58%)^[5] of survey respondents reporting they had suffered from dental pain that was not relieved through taking painkillers.

NUROMOL has been extensively studied in people with severe dental pain after tooth extraction. The recommended dose provides up to eight hours of pain relief.^[6]

'If people are not happy with the level of pain relief they get from their usual over-the-counter pain medications, they should talk to their pharmacist about suitable alternatives,' concluded Dr Hicks.

Notes to Editors

• http://www.nuromol.co.uk is now live
• NUROMOL is available from pharmacies across the UK
• NUROMOL is an oval shaped film-coated tablet combining ibuprofen 200mg and paracetamol 500mg.

 In a dental pain study, one tablet of Nuromol was shown to provide pain relief that is significantly stronger than a 1000mg paracetamol and 30mg codeine combination.[2*]

*The maximum OTC dose in the UK is 1000mg paracetamol and 25.6mg codeine.  This comparison relates to cumulative pain relief over 12 hours following a single dose.

• If one tablet is not sufficient to relieve symptoms then the dosage maybe increased to two tablets still leaving 6 hours between doses.  Nuromol should be taken with water and food for the shortest duration of time necessary to relieve symptoms and for no more than 3 days.
• Two tablets were shown to offer stronger pain relief which lasted for longer than 400mg ibuprofen and 25.6mg codeine combination.^[2]
• For adults over 18 years, one tablet (or two tablets if one tablet does not control symptoms) of NUROMOL can be taken up to three times per day with water and food. At least 6 hours should be left between doses.  No more than six tablets should be taken in any 24-hour period.
• People should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time necessary to relieve their symptoms.
• NUROMOL comes in tablet form and is available from pharmacies. The product will be available in a range of pack sizes, and has a RRP of £2.49 for six tablets.

Nuromol is the first combination of paracetamol (500mg) and ibuprofen (200mg) available over-the-counter in the UK.  Always read the leaflet. Nuromol is a registered trade mark of Reckitt Benckiser.

References

1. Mehlisch DR, Aspley S, Daniels SE, Southerden KA, Christensen KS. A single-tablet fixed-dose combination of racemic ibuprofen/paracetamol in the management of moderate to severe postoperative dental pain in adult and adolescent patients: a multicenter, two-stage, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, factorial study. Clin. Ther. 2010;32:1033-1049
2. RB Data on File: Study No.NL0811.2010
3. The British Pain Society. Managing your pain effectively using "Over the Counter" (OTC)
4. MHRA Public Assessment Report.  Codeine and dihydrocodeine containing medicines: minimising the risk of addiction.  September 2009.
5. Opinion Health analgesic consumer survey involving 1800 members of the general public. December 2010.
6. Nuromol SmPC MA Number: PL00063/0579

 

SOURCE Reckitt Benckiser