Key Summary
- Most pain management pathways advise a sudden leap to opioids and opioid combinations after paracetamol or ibuprofen taken in isolation fails to provide relief.
- Combogesic fills the existing gap between paracetamol and ibuprofen as monotherapies and opioids.
- Clinical trials have confirmed that the patented ratio of 3.3:1 used in Combogesic balances maximum amplification of pain relief from paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Ceuta Healthcare has launched a new training guide for pharmacy teams to support OTC consultations for mild-to-moderate pain, and reduce avoidable opioid use while still delivering fast, effective pain relief.
The new guide – Double Action Pain Relief - has been developed by AFT Pharma UK, the manufacturers of Combogesic, an over-the-counter, opioid-free pain relief medicine.
Combogesic combines the maximum pain-relieving effect of paracetamol (500mg) and ibuprofen (150mg).
Pharmacist and an adviser to Combogesic Mark Burdon said, “The goal of all pain management has to be finding a treatment approach which provides maximum pain relief with minimal risk of side effects. That’s not always easy to navigate.”
Currently, most pain management pathways advise a sudden leap to opioids and opioid combinations after paracetamol or ibuprofen taken in isolation fails to provide relief.
This has helped fuel an opioid crisis and increased hospitalisation costs. Double Action Pain Relief outlines an alternative pain management pathway, where Combogesic fills the existing gap between paracetamol and ibuprofen as monotherapies and opioids.
A single dose of double-action Combogesic is clinically proven to be 80 per cent more effective than paracetamol alone, 30 per cent more effective than ibuprofen alone, and provides faster pain relief than ibuprofen alone.
The trials have shown that this specific combination reduces the need for more potent opioid drugs.
A recent peer-reviewed paper, published in the Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, called for Combogesic to be included in the national pain guidelines regarding recommendations for mild to moderate pain with the potential to reduce opioid use.
It is well documented that, at a 3.3:1 ratio (500mg paracetamol to 150mg ibuprofen), the analgesic effect of paracetamol and ibuprofen is synergistically enhanced.
Clinical trials have confirmed that the patented ratio of 3.3:1 used in Combogesic balances maximum amplification of pain relief from both compounds.
GP and adviser to Combogesic, Dr Nisa Aslam explains, “Paracetamol and ibuprofen have different mechanisms of action, and both are generally well tolerated. It was already well documented that they worked synergistically together, but what has been lacking until now was a clear consensus on what constituted the ideal ratio. It took a huge amount of work to determine the optimal combination and thanks to patient trials and clinical studies, the patented ratio of 3.3:1 in Combogesic is considered the gold standard.”
The Double Action Pain Relief Pharmacy Guide also includes a series of common frequently asked questions to help all pharmacy staff understand the complexities and safety needs when it comes to advising customers on mild to moderate pain relief.
To order copies of this new pharmacy guide from Ceuta Healthcare please email customerservices@ceutahealthcare.com.
