Discovering The Risks of My Trusted Painkillers
I used to reach for pills like Ibugesic or Nurofem when I was in pain, but then I learned some shocking truths. Regular use can lead to:
- Ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding
- Kidney and liver damage
- Higher risk of heart attack and stroke
Where do you feel pain? It’s not a question of if you have pain, but where. We all face it at some point—illness, injury, flu, or tension. Pain is a familiar foe.
My mom, who battles chronic migraines, relied on Mypaid Forte and Migraine Relief Kits available from local pharmacy chains. These migraine kits often include medications with paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, or caffeine. They seem safe enough, right? These “safe” painkillers seriously damaged her gut.
Let’s dig deeper. Pharma offers three types of painkillers:
- Mildly effective but generally safe
- Mildly effective, yet unsafe, even potentially fatal
- Highly effective but addictive, dangerous, sometimes deadly
Paracetamol, like Panado, falls into the first group. It’s safe for most when used as directed, but large doses over time can turn toxic—though few people push it that far.
The second group includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin (think Disprin), ibuprofen (found in Nurofem and Mypaid Forte), or diclofenac (like Cataflam). These can help ease pain but carry serious risks with prolonged use.
The third group? Opioids. These act like opium, binding to receptors in your brain and body to shut off pain—like a powerful “off switch.” Syndol, Tramal, Lenadol, and Tramacet act like opium. They work but are highly addictive and dangerous.
Most opioids require a doctor’s prescription because of their risks. Even short-term use can addict some people, and quitting after daily use is an uphill battle. Yet, in South Africa, one opioid—codeine—is sold over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription.
Pause and think about that. Codeine, an opioid that mimics opium, is available at your local pharmacy. Names like Gen-Payne, Myprodol, Stopayne, Adcodol, and Stilpane might sound familiar. These are South Africa’s most common codeine-containing painkillers.
Now, here’s where it gets worse. What happens when you mix the second and third categories—NSAIDs and opioids—into one pill? You get Myprodol and Mybulen. They are two of South Africa’s best-selling painkillers and are sometimes included in migraine relief kits.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen, found in Ibugesic, Nurofem and Mypaid Forte, are risky enough. They’re behind the side effects I mentioned earlier—ulcers, bleeding, organ damage, and heart risks. Add codeine, and you’ve got a dangerous mix.
This discovery stunned me. No wonder my mom’s gut suffered. Though she still fights migraines, she's stopped using NSAIDs. Chances are, you’ve been using these pills too. You may also be experiencing gut issues. Could there be a connection?
If you have chronic pain, like my mom, you’re in a tough spot—pain is wearing you down, but so are the painkillers. Marissa, diagnosed with osteoarthritis, faced a similar struggle but found light at the end of the tunnel. Her story of using Nucleo and DMSO for relief offers hope for managing pain more safely. Here is her story below.
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Disclaimer: This article provides information on the risks of over-the-counter painkillers, such as codeine addiction, gastrointestinal issues, and organ damage, based on data from credible sources. It is not authored by a medical professional and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing painkiller use, or before exploring alternative treatments.
