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El Reg reports:
Reported in The Lancet, the study [on paracetamol also known as acetaminophen] funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline Australia ran for over three years and involved "a multicentre, double-dummy, randomised, placebo controlled trial across 235 primary care centres in Sydney."
The study saw some patients given regular doses paracetamol, others told to take the drug when in pain and a third group handed placebos. Those given paracetamol, in either mode, reported no less pain than those taking placebos. Nor did sugar-pill-poppers recover from their ailments more slowly.
The authors therefore "question the universal endorsement of paracetamol in this patient group."
In this interview the study's leader Professor Chris Maher even questions whether Paracetamol can be considered a pain-killer.
"The jury is out" on whether the drug lessens pain, Professor Maher says about two minutes into the interview.
So, what does work? Don't just lay there; for starters, get up and MOVE AROUND.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 25 2014, @12:49PM
Terrible for the liver, especially if one is not careful with the maximum daily dosage of 4000mg.
I highly rate pregabalin (Lyrica) as a general painkiller and for nerve pain and muscle relaxation in specific. Much less habit-forming and with less rebound than the opiate painkillers, less risky than even the lighter opioids like codeine or the dodgy-but-oft-prescribed Tramadol in my experience.
(Score: 2) by Dunbal on Friday July 25 2014, @01:05PM
Problem with Lyrica is it can increase your appetite and affect your moods.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 25 2014, @01:12PM
Lyrica less habit-forming? Oh please. I have been on it for few months now and I can't be without it even for few days without having severe withdrawals. And this is coming from a person who has been on opioids (codeine) for a longer time and still have no dependency on it and on paracetamol and ibuprofen even longer without any problems. Anecdotal, yes, but all the MD's that I've discussed the medicine about agree that it causes severe dependency in people and is the leading legal drug that leads people to rehab clinics in Finland.
-EPIH