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Pain Killers & NSAIDs

Pain killers; drugs that provide relief from pain, are known as analgesics within the medical profession. NSAIDs are a class of analgesics, which are covered in detail shortly.

We're likely all familiar with and have taken at least a low strength pain killer, such as ibuprofen (perhaps unwillingly as a child). That said, there are a considerable number of different drugs available, with a multitude of uses, side effects and restrictions. Having a good understanding of what is available, what might be most appropriate for you or your loved ones and what drugs can be combined for greater relief is worthwhile.

For more details on the most common drugs in use, important age restrictions, potential side effects and contraindications (negative reactions with other drugs), see the following;

For a quick reference, see below.

NSAIDs

You'll note in the following quick reference table there is a NSAID column; NSAIDs are NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. These are pain killers usually available without prescription which must not be combined with other NSAIDs (for example, you must not take both aspirin and naproxen at the same time). Instead, if you are looking for more relief from pain or a greater effect, you should combine a NSAID with a pain killer that is not one (for example combine ibuprofen with paracetamol). Great care should also be taken when administering pain killers to children. Asthma sufferers should also avoid NSAIDs if possible as there is a risk of an asthmas attack, urticaria (hives), angioedema (swelling) or rhinitis (inflammation inside the nose).1

You should also keep in mind that NSAIDs increase the risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeds, heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Aspirin is the exception for heart attack & stroke and low (so called baby) doses where heart failure is concerned.

Quick Reference

Pain killers in alphabetical order;

Drug Used For NSAID? Addictive? Other Information
Aspirin Aches & pains, fever Yes No Should not be given to those under 18 years old
Should be avoided by asthmatics
Can be combined with one of co-codamol, codeine or paracetamol
Co-codamol Aches & pains No Potentially Contains both codeine and paracetamol (see below)
Should not be given to those under 12 years old unless absolutely necessary
Prescription required for higher doses
Opiate based and can be addictive with long term use
Can be combined with one of aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen or naproxin
Codeine Acute pain, post surgery, injury No Yes Should not be given to those under 12 years old unless absolutely necessary
Prescription only
Opiate based and can be addictive with long term use
Can be combined with one of aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen or naproxin
Diclofenac Aches & pains, muscle & joint pain Yes No Should not be given to those under 14 years old (except those with arthritis)
Should be avoided by asthmatics
Can be combined with one of co-codamol, codeine or paracetamol
Fentanyl Severe pain, post surgery, severe injury No Yes Prescription only and a controlled medicine
Opiate based and can be addictive with long term use
There should be no need to combine this with other pain killers
Ibuprofen Aches & pains, inflammation, fever, UTIs Yes No Should be avoided by asthmatics
Can be combined with one of co-codamol, codeine or paracetamol
Ibuprofen & Codeine Aches & pains, inflammation, fever, UTIs Yes Potentially Should be avoided by asthmatics
Should not be combined with any other pain killers
Morphine Severe pain, post surgery, severe injury No Yes Prescription only and a controlled medicine
Opiate based and can be addictive with long term use
There should be no need to combine this with other pain killers
Naproxen Muscle & joint pain, inflammation Yes No Prescription only
Should be avoided by asthmatics
Can be combined with one of co-codamol, codeine or paracetamol
Paracetamol Aches & pains, fever No No Can be combined with one of aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen or naproxin

References

Metadata

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Last Updated: 2026-02-10

  1. Jenkins C. Recommending analgesics for people with asthma. Am J Ther. 2000 Mar;7(2):55-61. doi: 10.1097/00045391-200007020-00003. PMID: 11319574. ↩