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When dealing with headaches, fevers, muscle pain or cramps, many people immediately reach for painkillers. 

These easily available medications can help alleviate discomfort, but knowing which ones to choose can be tricky. And let’s be honest, most of us will use up whatever is at the bottom of our work bag.

Paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen are among the most widely used. While they are all effective for pain relief, they each work in a slightly different way and ideally, tackling different symptoms.

And despite their widespread availability, each of these painkillers has specific safety considerations. Not all are suitable for children, and individuals with underlying health conditions should exercise caution when using them.

To help you reach for the right medication, Metro has consulted health experts to explain how each painkiller works and which one you should be taking.

Paracetamol 

Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used painkillers available over the counter. It’s typically used to treat general aches, headaches, fevers and mild pain. 

It usually takes 30 minutes to start working, and its effects last for around six hours. The typical adult dose is one or two 500mg tablets, with a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours. For children, it’s often administered in liquid form (such as Calpol), but it should not be given to babies younger than two months unless prescribed by a doctor.

Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor tells Metro: ‘Paracetamol works primarily as a pain reliever (analgesic) and fever reducer. It does not have significant anti-inflammatory properties, making it a suitable option for general pain relief, such as headaches, mild to moderate muscle aches and fevers associated with colds and flu.

‘It is generally tolerated and can be taken by most people, including pregnant women and children.’

However, she says it’s ‘essential’ to stay within the recommended dose. ‘Taking more than the advised amount can lead to serious health complications such as liver failure.’

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by reducing hormones that cause pain and inflammation in the body.

It’s commonly used for conditions like back pain, muscle strains, period pain, and even cold and flu symptoms.

Ibuprofen typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes to work when taken orally, with its effects lasting around eight hours.

It’s available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, and gels that you rub into your skin. It should not be taken for more than 10 days in a row or on an empty stomach. While ibuprofen is generally safe for those aged 17 and over, it is not suitable for everyone.

According to the NHS website, ibuprofen should not be taken by mouth or applied to the skin if you are pregnant or have ever had an allergic reaction or symptoms like wheezing, a runny nose, or skin reactions after taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs.

Dr Wylie adds: ‘Ibuprofen should be avoided by people with stomach ulcers, kidney disease, or heart conditions, as it can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular issues.’

Aspirin 

Aspirin is another type of NSAID with anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used to relieve mild to moderate pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. 

It typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes to take effect, with its effects lasting approximately four to six hours. 

While aspirin can be used for general pain relief, Dr Wylie notes: ‘It is particularly beneficial in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and can also help prevent blood clots.’

It is also commonly prescribed in low doses to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Dr Wylie says: ‘Aspirin should be avoided by children under 16 due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, and it is not suitable for those with a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, or aspirin allergies. The usual dose for pain relief is between 300mg and 900mg every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum of 4g per day.’

She adds: ‘NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin should be taken with food to minimise stomach irritation.’

What type of pain relief should I buy?

When choosing a painkiller, Dr Claire Merrifield, GP and medical director at Selph advises opting for non-branded versions, 

She says: ‘The active ingredient of ibuprofen or paracetamol is the same regardless so cheap, non-branded versions are just as effective. You’re only paying for the marketing.’

She also notes that while paracetamol and ibuprofen can be safely taken together, ibuprofen should not be combined with other NSAIDs like aspirin. 

Additionally, caution is needed with co-formulated medications such as co-codamol or co-dydramol. ‘These contain paracetamol, so be careful of taking more paracetamol on top,’ she explains.

For those using ibuprofen, she highlights the importance of taking it with food to minimise stomach irritation. Long-term use of NSAIDs for issues like headaches should also be avoided due to the risk of side effects such as stomach inflammation and ulceration.

Dr Wylie adds: ‘While painkillers are an effective way to manage pain, it’s essential to use them responsibly. If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional before continuing use.’

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Amazon’s spring Deal Days are here, and there’s no better time to treat yourself to some super-clever Amazon devices while the prices are dropped.

Giving you until Monday March 31 to shop unmissable deals, including over 50% off Amazon tech, this is prime time to grab a bargain. (If you will.)

We’ve been scouring the site to find you the best deals on Amazon tech, including big price drops on Fire TVs, Echo Dots, Fire Sticks, Echo Buds and so much more.

One deal that really caught our eye is on the Echo Buds (2nd Gen), which currently sees a huge saving of %%. Now at its lowest ever price, marked down from – to –, these buds, which users call ‘better than Apple’ are a total bargain.

Looking for a TV upgrade without breaking the bank? The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Device, now just £24.99, transforms your regular TV into a totally smart one, enabling you to watch all your favourite movies and shows in 4K.

If you’re looking for the best TV deals, you’ll find plenty of Alexa-compatible smart TV deals up for grabs, and to keep your home protected, don’t miss top savings on Ring Doorbells.

Ready to find an unmissable Amazon Spring Deal Days bargain? Shop our top picks from Amazon’s device deals below.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device (Newest gen)

The top-selling Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is now under £25, an unmissable deals to snap up now. With this must-have piece of tech, you'll be able to access thousands of hours worth of entertainment, including hundreds of thousands of TV shows and films from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Disney+ and more. You can also watch live and free TV in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR and HDR10+.

shop £34.99 (save £25)

Echo Buds (Newest gen)

Experience the ultimate audio freedom with the Amazon Echo Buds, now with an unbeatable %%% off. These wireless earbuds offer seamless integration with Alexa, exceptional sound quality, and the convenience of active noise cancelling, making them the perfect companion for your everyday activities.

shop £44.99 (save £85)

Echo Pop (Newest gen)

Upgrade your listening experience with the Echo Pop, a compact Bluetooth smart speaker featuring Alexa. With its impressive sound quality, it's perfect for bedrooms and small spaces.

Shop £22.99 (save £22)

Blink Mini 2 – Plug-in smart security camera

Experience peace of mind with the Blink Mini indoor smart security camera. With its 1080p HD video quality, night view in colour with a built-in spotlight, motion detection, a wider field of view and two-way audio, you can monitor your home day and night.

shop £17.99 (save £12)

Echo Auto (Newest gen)

Save a huge %£ on the newest Echo Auto. Add Alexa to your car and enjoy hands-free access to features like playing music, making calls, answering text messages, and more, even if your car doesn't have a built-in voice assistant.

shop £59.99 (save £35)

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (Newest gen)

Snap up everyone's favourite security must-have with £££ off the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus. With enhanced resolution, Head-To-Toe View, real-time alerts and Colour Night Vision, you can view your doorstep clearly, even in low-light conditions.

shop £129.99

All-new Amazon Fire TV 43" 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV

Save an incredible 47% on the Amazon Fire TV 43" 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV, a budget-friendly option that delivers brilliant 4K entertainment with vibrant colours and enhanced picture quality. With the Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote, you can easily navigate your favourite apps, find movies and shows, and access a wide range of streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+.

shop £229.99 (save £200)

Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen)

Score %%%% off the Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen) by Amazon, the perfect plug-in security camera to add protection and peace of mind inside your home. Check in on your pets in real-time, talk to them with Two-Way Talk, and control what the camera sees with the swiveling privacy cover.

shop £24.99 (save £25)

Echo Dot (Newest gen)

The classic Echo Dot is currently on offer for just £44.99 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days. Experience improved audio quality, enjoy your favourite music and content from various streaming services, and let Alexa assist you with weather updates, timers and more.

shop £53.99

Echo Spot (2024 release)

Need a new alarm clack and speaker in one? The new Echo Spot is currently reduced by a huge £25. Small and sleek, it has custom-designed clock faces with a display that makes it easy to set and view alarms and see the time, weather or song titles, while the directional speaker delivers 'vibrant' sound that's sure to get you out of bed in the morning.

shop £74.99 (save £5)

Echo Dot Kids (Newest gen)

Give your child the gift of fun and learning with the Echo Dot Kids (5th generation), now 23% off. With a playful owl design, kids can ask Alexa to play music, read bedtime stories, assist with homework and more, while enjoying a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+.

shop £49.99 (save £15)

All-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB)

Discover the ultimate reading companion with the Kindle Paperwhite.
Take your entire library with you wherever you go and immerse yourself in a book-like experience with its 7-inch glare-free display, adjustable warm light and long-lasting battery life.

shop £169.99

Amazon eero 7 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 7 router (newest model)

The brand-new Amazon eero mesh Wi-Fi 7 router is now on offer with a whopping %%% on Amazon. The fast stand-alone router connects to your existing modem to bring up to 190 sq.m of fast, reliable Wi-Fi to your home.

shop £169.99

Blink Video Doorbell

Never miss a parcel again thanks to the Blink Video Doorbell – now on sale with ££££ off. Thanks to the two-way audio, HD video, long-lasting battery life and motion detection, you can answer your door, no matter where you are, from your smartphone with 1080p HD day and infrared night video.

shop £29.99 (save £20)

Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro (Video Doorbell Pro 2) + Chime

Save a £19.99 on this Ring Wired Video Doorbell bundle. Get the premium wired Ring Video Doorbell with 1536p HD Head-to-Toe Video, Two-Way Talk and 3D Motion Detection so you can know when someone’s at your front door. The bundle also includes a Chime so you'll be able to hear alerts and notifications around your home.

shop £209.99 (save £19.99)

Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (newest gen)

Stream, read, listen and play on the go with the on-sale Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet. With a generous 1080p Full HD display that brings brilliant colour to all your series and games, it's brilliant for relaxing with at home or on the move. Binge watch longer with up to 13-hour battery life and 32/64 GB of storage.

shop £124.99 (save £55)

Echo Show 5 (Newest gen)

The newest Echo Show 5 is now %%% off. Small yet mighty, the Echo Show 5 includes a compact 5.5" display that fits neatly into any room. Showing you the news and weather at a glance, it also allows you to make video calls, view compatible cameras, stream music and programmes, and more.

shop £89.99

Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (newest gen)

Get the newest Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet for £45 less. Get up to 13 hours of reading, browsing the web, watching videos and listening to music at home and on the go with this clever tablet. You can stream or download your favourite series and films from Prime Video, Netflix and Disney+ too.

shop £54.99 (save £45)

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar, 2.0 speaker with DTS Virtual

This new Fire TV Soundbar enhances TV audio with dual speakers for fuller sound, clearer dialogue, and deeper bass—all in a compact design. Offering immersive sound, it allows you to enjoy a three-dimensional surround sound experience with DTS Virtual:X and more detail with and Dolby Audio.

shop £99.99 (save £20)

So many bargains, only a week to claim…

Disclaimer: All prices mentioned are accurate at the time of publication.

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