To set the scene, I am not a big fan of taking painkillers, and more often then not prefer to let things sort themselves out if possible. 9/10 when I get a headache for example, it is often caused by dehydration (I don't drink nearly enough of liquids throughout the day) or a lack of sleep. So, before resorting to taking any kind of tablet for a headache I try to ensure I've drunk lots of water and have attempted to get some sleep. However, sometimes this simple remedy isn't enough to solve the problem. This is when I move on to the Anadin. The picture above is a slightly different box to the ones I've bought recently, but the tablets are still easily identified by the bright yellow packaging and the brand name written on in large letters.

~So what are they?~

Anadin Extra tablets are white caplets, so the longer, sort of oval shaped tablet. They contain 300mg of aspirin, 200mg of paracetamol and 45mg of caffeine. This combination of ingredients is something that I have only really found in Anadin Extra tablets. I have yet to find another brand with this combination, though feel free to let me know if one exists. The aspirin targets the pain, the paracetamol works as a blocker, blocking the pain signals from reaching your brain, and the caffeine works by helping to speed up pain relief. These three core ingredients together make what I believe to be a very effective tablet. In fact, the last time I used these tablets (after having a headache for 2 days and trying my normal solutions) I began to feel the results in approximately 15 minutes or so.


Compared to other pain relief out there Anadin is expensive. It is possible to buy unbranded aspirin or paracetamol tablets very cheap nowadays. However, on the rare occasion that I do take some sort of pain relief tablets I have found these cheaper brands to not be as effective at targeting the problem.


~A few health notes~

As with all medicines you should read the leaflet before taking these. As described above there are 3 active ingredients in the tablets so ensure that you stick to the dosage stated, which is no more than 2 tablets every 4 hours, and no more than 8 tablets in a 24 hour time period. This is for adults only, and these are not recommended for under 16s.

There are other health notes to consider such as you shouldn't take this medicine if you are in the late stages of pregnancy or breastfeeding. Do not take if you've had a stomach ulcer, and should consult your doctor before taking in the earlier stages of pregnancy or you are asthmatic. The leaflet covers the health issues in much more detail, so ensure to read this before taking.


Overall though, I find that these tablets are the best painkillers on the market even with their slightly more expensive price tag. On average you will be looking at about the £2 mark for 12 tablets. I've seen them cheaper, around £1.70, and occasionally have seen a pack of 12 for £1. If I see them at £1 I tend to buy a couple of packs to keep in the bathroom cupboard.