Dr Hartley Atkinson
Managing Director, AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Codeine-free over-the-counter analgesics — which combine paracetamol and ibuprofen — can offer patients a more effective pain relief option that may help reduce opioid dependence.
Much has been written about the scourge of opioid addiction in recent years. Yet, in the UK, there’s a temptation to think that this issue only affects other countries. That’s just not the case, insists Dr Hartley Atkinson, Managing Director, AFT Pharmaceuticals.
Opioid epidemic affects the UK
According to one study in the British Journal of Pain, the UK had the world’s highest rate of opioid consumption in 2019.1 Too many people are using opioids to manage everyday moderate pain such as headaches, toothache, sore throat and sprains; yet sustained long-term use of these drugs increases the likelihood of addiction. “Studies have shown that 10% or more of patients who are discharged from hospital on opioids are still using them three months later,2 and that’s just not appropriate,” says Dr Atkinson.
Our studies have shown that relief is around 80% stronger than paracetamol alone and around 30% stronger than ibuprofen alone.4
Faster pain relief
Part of the answer is to give healthcare professionals and patients a range of different pain relief options. For example, Dr Atkinson’s company has created a specific, over-the-counter, codeine-free analgesic, which combines 500mg of paracetamol and 150mg of ibuprofen (both non-opioids) per tablet.
“We found that combining paracetamol and ibuprofen in these ratios produces a very good level of pain relief,” reveals Dr Atkinson. A clinical study has indicated codeine combined with paracetamol boosts pain relief by only 5% compared to paracetamol alone.3 “Our studies have shown that relief is around 80% stronger than paracetamol alone and around 30% stronger than ibuprofen alone.4 Combining paracetamol and ibuprofen also offers faster pain relief. We discovered the medication produces meaningful pain relief in about 42 minutes, whereas simply taking ibuprofen on its own takes around an hour to produce the same effect.”
Playing a part in reducing opioid use
Dr Hartley believes this pain relief — which has been available in UK pharmacies for around a year — could play a role in helping to combat the opioid crisis. “Doctors will still need to consider giving their patients combinations of multiple painkillers,” he says. “But having access to an additional strength analgesic gives them options, which is what they have been asking for. It can minimise the amount of time that a patient spends on opioids — or help them avoid opioids altogether.”
References
[1] Roberts, A.O. and Richards, G.C. (2023) ‘Is England facing an opioid epidemic?’, British Journal of Pain, 17(3), pp. 320-324. doi:10.1177/20494637231160684.
[2] Arwi, G.A. and Schug, S.A. (2020) ‘Potential for harm associated with discharge opioids after hospital stay: A systematic review’, Drugs, 80(10), pp. 989-1004. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-020-01294-z.
[3] De Craen, A.J.M., et al. (1996) ‘Analgesic efficacy and safety of paracetamol-codeine combinations versus paracetamol alone: a systematic review’, BMJ, 313, pp. 321-325.
[4] Daniels, S.E., et al. (2018) ‘Analgesic efficacy of an acetaminophen/ibuprofen fixed-dose combination in moderate to severe postoperative dental pain: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial’, Clinical Therapeutics, 40(10), pp. 1765-1776.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. For professional medical advice, consult your GP.
