Nurofen Plus took the pain away and saved Christmas (Nurofen Plus)

Member Name: maria14

Product:	Nurofen Plus
Date:	13/01/09 (214 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: These were amazinly effective on a badly sprained wrist and elbow

Disadvantages: Expensive.

At the end of last year I took two of my children ice skating on the outdoor rink in York. Sure enough, just when I thought I was getting the hang of it, I slipped and landed heavily on my outstretched right hand and wrist.

It later transpired that I had severely sprained my wrist and elbow. Ten minutes after falling, the pain became so severe that I didn't think I could make it back to the car. My husband dashed into Boots and the pharmacist told him to buy Nurofen Plus.

They are over the counter painkillers, but can only be sold by a pharmacist, so they won't appear on the supermarket shelves. They cost us (at Boots) #6.40 for 32 tablets.

The prescribed dosage is one or two with water and then if necessary, 1 or 2 every 4 hours. Not more than 6 to be taken in a 24 hour period.

The active ingredients are Ibuprofen (200mg) and Codeine Phophate (12.8mg).

They describe themselves as being for 'Fast Acting Relief from Strong Pain', and state they are particularly suitable for dental pain, period pain, rheumatic and muscular pain and fever.

In my case, I was astounded at how quickly and effectively they worked. It seemed that the pain started to ease within minutes, and within half an hour the pain had eased considerably.

In fact they were so effective, that I decided to go home, rather than go to Casualty, on the basis that perhaps things were not as bad as we had first feared. Now this was in part wishful thinking on my behalf, but it was mainly due to the effectiveness of the drugs! When I woke up the next day in agony and unable to move my arm, I realised my mistake!

I very rarely take painkillers and when I do, I use cheap paracetamol. These are considerably more expensive, but in my opinion, they are significantly more effective.

The fact they contain ibroprufen also, I was informed by the doctor, helps to alleviate the swelling.

Here's the science bit - sort of. I think I have an idea why they are so effective. About 5 years ago, I had an abscess on a tooth root, which the dentist assured me did not exist and the pain I was experiencing was due to a cold. (Fool!) Parcetamol was not helping at all, and so, having had no sleep for two nights, I visited the chemist for something stronger. The pharmacist - perhaps seeing that I was a woman on the edge - told me that in exceptional circumstances a mixture of painkillers can be taken. I think - and remember I am not a pharmacist, but a sleep deprived mum whose grasp of the facts can be shaky - the three involved were paracetamol, ibroprufen and codeine.

Anyway, whatever they were, he sold me them with strict instructions about dosage. The effect they had was extreme. They took away the pain, but I was floating around the office semi comatosed for the rest of the afternoon.

Nurofen Plus provides a mixture of ibroprufen and codeine. And while I am certain it would be cheaper to buy these individually as I am sure you can do, I would rather play safe, and pay the extra five pounds and have the men in white coats do mix up the dosage for me. I did not feel drowsy at all. But the pain relief was effective.

NB Not suitable for various groups of people, including those with breathing difficulties, stomach ulcers and women who are pregnant. Also not suitable for those under 12 years old,

Summary: A mixture of ibroprufen and codeine - fast working and highly effective on pain and swelling