Analgesic combinations contain at least one analgesic in combination with another medicine or medicines. An analgesic is the name given to a medicine that relieves pain without putting you to sleep or making you lose consciousness. Analgesics may also be known as painkillers or pain relievers.
If an analgesic combination product contains two analgesics, these generally have different ways of working to relieve pain.
Analgesic combination products tend to either have acetaminophen, an NSAID (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or an opioid (such as codeine) as one of their ingredients.
What are analgesic combinations used for?
Analgesic combinations may be taken to relieve pain that arises from a wide range of conditions, such as:
It is important to note that not all analgesic combinations are appropriate for all these conditions.
What are the differences between the different analgesic combinations?
Analgesic combinations differ in the ingredients they contain which means there are vast differences in the way they work, their potency, (how strong they are), and in the way they are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted within the body.
Some analgesic combinations contain NSAIDs, whereas others contain opioids (narcotics). Other ingredients may include caffeine, which enhances the pain-relieving effect of an analgesic, and diphenhydramine, which is used for its sleep-inducing properties.
Analgesic combinations that contain opioids should only be used if other analgesics or analgesic combinations have proved ineffective as they are potentially addictive.
Common Analgesic combinations available in the U.S.
Are analgesic combinations safe?
Most analgesic combinations are considered safe when taken for short periods of time and exactly as directed on the packaging or by a doctor. Some analgesic combinations, such as those containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may be considered safer than others.
Narcotic analgesic combinations have been associated with some serious risks such as respiratory depression (unusually slow and shallow breathing), opioid-use disorder, and potentially fatal overdose. They are potentially addictive and should only be used for certain conditions and under strict monitoring.
What are the side effects of analgesic combinations?
All medicines have side effects but how vulnerable a person is to them depends on several different factors such as age, genetics, kidney function and gender (see Managing Common Drug Side Effects)
Narcotic analgesic combinations have many side effects, although people with cancer or a terminal illness taking narcotic analgesic combinations for long periods of time may become tolerant to some of these side effects.
Drowsiness, sleepiness, or dizziness are common with most narcotic analgesic combinations. These side effects may affect driving or a person's ability to operate machinery and perform other hazardous tasks. Alcohol may potentiate these effects
Combination analgesics containing NSAIDs may also cause side effects, especially when used at higher than recommended dosages for long periods of time. Gastrointestinal side effects that may occur include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, irritation of the lining of the stomach, nausea or vomiting. Combination products containing NSAIDs may also affect kidney function and reduce how quickly blood flows through the kidneys. They may cause retention of sodium and water which can lead to edema and high potassium levels. Occasionally, they may cause more serious damage to the kidneys. NSAIDs have also been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Combination products that contain agents that enhance sleep such as diphenhydramine may also cause drowsiness and affect a person’s ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other hazardous tasks.
Please refer to each combination product for a full list of side effects.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
