Which brand of paracetamol is most suitable for me?

Paracetamol is one of the few pharmaceutical drugs widely used all over the world. As an analgesic, it is used to relieve mild to moderate pain from a headache, toothache, cold, flu, joint pain, and menstrual period pain. It also acts as an antipyretic, reducing fever by lowering the body’s temperature. While there are oral suspension, capsules and tablets forms of the drug, the tablets forms are mostly recommended by doctors, and hence patronized. The usual dose of paracetamol in tablet form is one or two 500mg tablets at a time, and generally it should be safe to take it during pregnancy and breastfeeding, at prescribed dosage. However, paracetamol should not be taken with medicines that contain paracetamol, so as to avoid the risk of overdosing, but is safe with other types of painkillers that do not contain paracetamol such as ibuprofen and aspirin. In Nigeria, there are many brands of paracetamol, and while there are only a few studies regarding the quality of paracetamol produced in the country. There seems to be a counter increase in the number and frequency of complaints from consumers on side effects encountered in using some of these brands. Under normal circumstances, paracetamol should be an effective pain reliever with low risk of side effects. There is also the problem of counterfeiting with many brands of paracetamol. This article brings to light some common brands in the market and provides information about each of them, with the intention of helping consumers better decide which is most suitable for them.

Emzor Paracetamol Tablets

• Manufactured by Emzor pharmaceutical industries limited
• It is one of the leading brands of Paracetamol in the Nigerian Market.
• It is by far the most common brand, easily found in many pharmacies and patent stores across the country.
• A pack typically cost around N230, while a sachet goes for N50.
• Its production to expiration period is 5 years.
• Emzor Paracetamol Tablet may also be taken in combination with other drugs, or as recommended by a physician.
• It is suitable for use by children and adolescents, the dosage however is subject to their weight and age.
• If Emzor Paracetamol is used too frequently or for a long period of time, many pharmacists opined that it can cause the user to have a headache or worsen an existing headache.
• Physicians advise that extra care be taken in using the drug while consuming alcohol and caffeine drinks, since these already contains some form of paracetamol in it, taking it with the drug could be detrimental.
• A few customers complained of cases where they experienced swelling in the mouth and gums after overdosing on the drug.
• Some other people said they experienced abdominal pain and nausea, when they overdosed on the drug.
• And as with all paracetamol types and drugs generally, it is advisable to consult one’s doctor for appropriate dosage guidance or check the products’ package.

M&B Paracetamol Tablets

• Manufactured by May & Baker Nigeria Plc.
• A pack of M&B paracetamol sells at N240, and N50 per sachet.
• This brand is easy to find in pharmacies and patent stores.
• It expiration lifespan is 5 years.
• In addition to performing the functions of an analgesic, it can also serve as an antipyretic, hence it a good alternative for aspirin, especially suitable for persons who are sensitive to aspirin.
• Many customers believe M&B paracetamol work very effectively, producing results within a very short time.
• The tablets actually appear bigger in size than many other paracetamol tablets brands in the same size category.
• It is advisable not to take M&B paracetamol tablets after 29 weeks of pregnancy, except advised otherwise by a doctor.
• It is advised not to use the drug with caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and some canned drinks.

Panadol Tablets

• Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.
• Panadol expiration period is 3 years.
• It relieves the body of fever, headache, back pain, toothaches, and similar conditions.
• It typically sells at N50 per sachet and N200 per pack, which is quite economical.
• It is the most advertised brand of paracetamol, and this has contributed to its popularity.
• Panadol has other variants such as, Panadol Night, Panadol Extra and Panadol Cold & Catarrh Caplets.
• While Panadol Night in addition to being a painkiller, works to give the user a good night sleep.
• Panadol Extra, which contain paracetamol 500mg and Caffeine 30mg, is a fast reliever of pains and feverish conditions. Many customers are of the opinion that it works really quick.
• Because Panadol Extra already contains caffeine, pharmacists advise that it is not taken with other drugs that also have caffeine content.
• Panadol Cold & Catarrh works to relieve the symptoms of common cold and catarrh.
• Some users complained of dizziness and sleeping problems (insomnia) on using the cold & catarrh variant, which may be due to phenylephrine hydrochloride 5mg and chlorpheniramine maleate 2mg in it.
• It is hardly prescribed by doctors, but commonly issued over-the-counter in pharmacies and health stores.
• Panadol is not recommended to be taken by children under 12 years of age.

Medik-55 Tablets

• Manufactured by Orange Drugs Limited.
• A pack sells at N200, and a sachet for N100.
• It expiration lifespan is 5 years.
• It responds to headache, cold and joint pains in minutes, and very effectively.
• Unlike many others, this paracetamol is not to be taken by children under 12 years of age.
• This drug can make you feel sleepy, and consumption of alcohol with Medik 55 Tablet may worsen the sleepiness.
• The use of Medik 55 Tablet is known to be unsafe for use in pregnant women or anyone planning to become pregnant, as it may result in lower birth weight and end of pregnancy(spontaneous abortion).
• Due to the content of caffeine in the drug, intake of caffeine products (e.g. tea, coffee and canned drinks) should be avoided when taking Medik 55.
• Health experts recommend that the drug is disposed after use, this is because the symptoms it cures varies in different people, and transferring the drug for another’s usage is not advisable, unless a doctor or pharmacist prescribes such.

Cannon Paracetamol Tablets.

• Manufactured by Orange Drugs Limited.
• Its production to expiration period is 5 years.
• A pack sells at N380, and a sachet goes for N100.
• It is not so popular in many pharmacies and patent stores.
• Attendants at pharmacists said it is hardly prescribed by doctors, but commonly issued over-the-counter in pharmacies.
• It works well for mild to moderate pains from headaches, toothaches, joints.
• It is also used to reduce feverish conditions.
• Users of Cannon paracetamol mentioned that it is particularly easy to swallow.
• Cannon paracetamol has a variant, Cannon Extra, which in addition to having paracetamol 500mg, also contains caffeine 30mg.
• Cannon paracetamol is said to work faster than the pure variant of Cannon.
• Since Cannon Extra already contains caffeine, it should not be taken with other drugs that also have caffeine in them.
• It is not to be used by pregnant women, ulcer, diabetic and asthmatic patients.

Cenpain Caplets

• Produced by Tuyil Pharmaceutical industry Limited.
• Its production to expiration period is 3 years.
• A pack is being sold at N250, and a sachet for N150.
• It is branded in form of caplets, and the pills have a unique colour.
• Cenpain is marked to be good for pain, headache, cold, joint pain, toothache and other similar conditions.
• A few pharmacists confirmed it is very effective for a refreshing night sleep and rest.
• Many users of the drug said they are not particularly sure if it works well enough for headache, and that people mostly use it to catch some sleep.
• Diphenhydramine Hcl, one of the other active ingredients in the drug, is known to be associated with day-time drowsinessor hangover feeling after use the previous night.
• A few users also mentioned occasions of dry mouth and throat after using the drug.
• As with other paracetamol types, it is advisable to consult one’s doctor for appropriate dosage guidance or check the products’ package.