Experts Urge NZers to Re-evaluate Pain Medicine

International Experts Urge New Zealanders to Re-evaluate their Pain Medicines

It is time for everybody to re-evaluate their choice of pain reliever, according to international experts presenting as part of the 8th World Congress on Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

One international expert speaking as part of the Congress, Professor Nicholas Moore, Department of Pharmacology, Universite Victor Segalen, Bordeaux, France believes too many New Zealanders are taking a pain medicine simply because it was the one their mother may have used, when there are now far more modern, effective ways to treat pain.

"Evidence confirms that, for the majority of people, popular pain reliever ibuprofen offers the best combination of efficacy and tolerability compared to other leading non-prescription pain relievers such as paracetamol," said Professor Moore.

"People should feel safe with the knowledge that in ibuprofen they have a pain reliever that, when used in according to the advice given clearly on the pack or from the pharmacist, is safe, effective and provides relief from pain.

"With the ever-increasing number of non-prescription pain medicines now available, it is important to note that ibuprofen can be taken with most commonly used medicines, for example the pill, cough mixtures and antibiotics."

Professor Moore also emphasised that it also can be helpful for consumers to discuss their pain management with their health professional to understand which pain reliever is the most appropriate for them.

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