Your choice of pain relief medication can depend on many things, such as the type, severity and cause of your pain. Other considerations are medications you may already be taking, any allergies you may have and other conditions you may have.

Treatments for common pain such as headaches, sinus pain or muscle injuries usually only need to be given for a short time while the injury is healing.

Paracetamol and NSAIDs (anti-inflammatories) are the most commonly used pain relievers and they can be purchased from pharmacies without a prescription.

Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) eg Ibuprofen.

NASIDs are used to reduce mild to moderate pain and inflammation (swelling) such as when you have an injury or a flare up of symptoms.

Paracetamol

• Paracetamol is the most common painkiller and is used to treat mild to moderate pain. It also reduces fever (high temperatures).

• Although Paracetamol is safe enough to be used in liquid form for babies and children, it is very important to use the correct dose.

• Taking too much paracetamol is very dangerous as it is toxic to the liver.
  

Paracetamol tablets are usually sold as 500 mg tablets.

• The usual dose in adults is 500 mg (1 or 2 tablets) every 4 to 6 hours when required for pain. 

• Depending on the reason you are taking paracetamol, your doctor may advise that you take regular doses or take it only when you need it for pain relief. Wait at least 4 hours between doses.

• Do not take more than 4 grams in 24 hours. This equates to 8 x 500 mg tablets per day.

• Keep track of the timing of the doses and check when it was last taken before taking it again.

Paracetamol is also found in many medicines you can buy from the pharmacy for colds and flu (e.g. Codral, Sudafed, Maxigesic). Overdose can happen if you take more than one medicine containing paracetamol. Check the ingredients of all medicines before you take them.

If you do take other medicines that have paracetamol, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose of paracetamol each day (4 grams in 24 hours).