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[Lucky Rathen]

People who insist on having brand name painkillers / antihistamines etc. purely because of the advertising and branding.

I know a few people who have in the past asked me if I have any painkillers, and I've produced a packet of ibuprofen I got from Asda, and they say "Oh... do you not have any Nurofen or something like that?" And I'm like, "Look at the £2.99 packet of Nurofen and see what's in it. 200g Ibuprofen? Now look at this packet of ibuprofen I got in Asda for 34p. What's the active ingredient? 200g Ibuprofen? So what's the difference?"

People really ought to be more aware that they're getting ripped off, most of the medicines you buy over the counter have exactly the same things in them, you're only paying from the brand name. £4 Panadol Extra has exactly the same amount of painkiller in it as 40p Tesco paracetomol, but you're paying literally 10 times more for a fancy box.

[John W]

Originally Posted by Lucky Rathen

People who insist on having brand name painkillers / antihistamines etc. purely because of the advertising and branding.

I know a few people who have in the past asked me if I have any painkillers, and I've produced a packet of ibuprofen I got from Asda, and they say "Oh... do you not have any Nurofen or something like that?" And I'm like, "Look at the £2.99 packet of Nurofen and see what's in it. 200g Ibuprofen? Now look at this packet of ibuprofen I got in Asda for 34p. What's the active ingredient? 200g Ibuprofen? So what's the difference?"

People really ought to be more aware that they're getting ripped off, most of the medicines you buy over the counter have exactly the same things in them, you're only paying from the brand name. £4 Panadol Extra has exactly the same amount of painkiller in it as 40p Tesco paracetomol, but you're paying literally 10 times more for a fancy box.

I never use painkillers (No reason just prefer not to) but will it not be the quality of ingredients or something that separates the cheap stuff from the expensive stuff, like Coca cola tastes way better than Asda own brand, and is more expensive than Asda own brand, because it tastes nicer with the higher quality ingredients they use, not the same thing?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by John W

I never use painkillers (No reason just prefer not to) but will it not be the quality of ingredients or something that separates the cheap stuff from the expensive stuff, like Coca cola tastes way better than Asda own brand, and is more expensive than Asda own brand, because it tastes nicer with the higher quality ingredients they use, not the same thing?

The active ingredient (i.e. the paracetamol or ibuprofen) has to be identical in both branded and generic medicines. The only differences are the non-active stuff they use to make it into tablet or capsule form. Some of which may help get the active ingredient into your system faster but not by much. The effectiveness of each version should be much the same.

Branded and generic medicines

[Lucky Rathen]

Originally Posted by John W

I never use painkillers (No reason just prefer not to) but will it not be the quality of ingredients or something that separates the cheap stuff from the expensive stuff, like Coca cola tastes way better than Asda own brand, and is more expensive than Asda own brand, because it tastes nicer with the higher quality ingredients they use, not the same thing?

No, they are chemically identical, the only difference is the colour and the shape.

[John W]

Originally Posted by Chris

The active ingredient (i.e. the paracetamol or ibuprofen) has to be identical in both branded and generic medicines. The only differences are the non-active stuff they use to make it into tablet or capsule form. Some of which may help get the active ingredient into your system faster but not by much. The effectiveness of each version should be much the same.

Branded and generic medicines

Ahh, got it. Maybe it's a placebo thing then, but when i have resorted to using painkillers I've found the expensive stuff to work better, haven't taken any in years though. I know i'll be buying the cheap stuff in future though if i ever do.

[Lucky Rathen]

Originally Posted by John W

I never use painkillers (No reason just prefer not to) but will it not be the quality of ingredients or something that separates the cheap stuff from the expensive stuff, like Coca cola tastes way better than Asda own brand, and is more expensive than Asda own brand, because it tastes nicer with the higher quality ingredients they use, not the same thing?

Have a read from a bunch of people who probably don't know what they are talking about.

Do value ibuprofens work as good as top brands? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers

[Original Spies]

Originally Posted by Lucky Rathen

People who insist on having brand name painkillers / antihistamines etc. purely because of the advertising and branding.

I know a few people who have in the past asked me if I have any painkillers, and I've produced a packet of ibuprofen I got from Asda, and they say "Oh... do you not have any Nurofen or something like that?" And I'm like, "Look at the £2.99 packet of Nurofen and see what's in it. 200g Ibuprofen? Now look at this packet of ibuprofen I got in Asda for 34p. What's the active ingredient? 200g Ibuprofen? So what's the difference?"

People really ought to be more aware that they're getting ripped off, most of the medicines you buy over the counter have exactly the same things in them, you're only paying from the brand name. £4 Panadol Extra has exactly the same amount of painkiller in it as 40p Tesco paracetomol, but you're paying literally 10 times more for a fancy box.

Really stinks when you've got a blinder of a migraine at night, so you get yourself to the closest 24 hour shop, and they've got 2 painkiller options. Annadin and Nurofen. Both pushing the £4 mark. Seems to be the only available options in situations like that, or at train station/airport shops. Bastards.

I usually try and get Co-codamol instead of ibuprofen/paracetamol/aspirin myself though, as it just seems to work better for my village destroying headaches.

[Lucky Rathen]

Originally Posted by Original Spies

Really stinks when you've got a blinder of a migraine at night, so you get yourself to the closest 24 hour shop, and they've got 2 painkiller options. Annadin and Nurofen. Both pushing the £4 mark. Seems to be the only available options in situations like that, or at train station/airport shops. Bastards.

I usually try and get Co-codamol instead of ibuprofen/paracetamol/aspirin myself though, as it just seems to work better for my village destroying headaches.

I never really get headaches but I've struggling with this fucking neck injury on and off for the last month. Ibuprofen seems to get rid of the worst of it, but if it doesn't work I pop a diclofenac as well, which you're not supposed to mix with ibuprofen, but it's not going to do that much damage, and it stops it hurting.My girlfriend is a nightmare like, as soon as she gets the slightest bit of pain in anything she's straight in about the codiene. Knocks her right the fuck out, it's like fucking heroin or something. Want me to nick some for your headaches?

[Original Spies]

I'm usually pretty well stocked up on Co-codamol for when the brainpain comes, but cheers for the offer! God, I hate headaches. Seems to be the only ailment I get these days. Haven't had a full blown cold in years though, which is good.

[paranoid]

Originally Posted by Lucky Rathen

it's like fucking heroin or something

Being an opiate, yes it is strangely like heroin.