Branded medicines
Medicine category
Pain and Fever Medicine South Africa
Pain and fever medicines are the most used products in any South African medicine cupboard, and the ones most often taken without reading the label. Nearly every problem in this category comes from taking the same ingredient twice rather than from any single product being unsafe.
Independent and evidence-basedInformation only, not a pharmacy
Ingredient type
Medicine category
Common uses
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Class
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South Africa access
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Common forms
Tablets, creams, gels
Key safety note
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What this category covers
These medicines relieve pain and reduce fever. They treat the symptom rather than the cause, which is why persistent pain needs a diagnosis rather than a larger dose.
The category divides into a few groups, and once you can tell them apart the shelf becomes much easier to navigate.
Common types in this category
- Paracetamol. Relieves pain and reduces fever. Gentle on the stomach and suitable for most people, including many who cannot take anti inflammatories. Dangerous in overdose, with liver damage beginning before symptoms appear.
- Anti inflammatory medicines. Including ibuprofen, which also reduce swelling. Better for pain with an inflammatory component, with more cautions around the stomach, kidneys, heart and asthma. See anti-inflammatory tablets South Africa and ibuprofen dosage.
- Combination products. Bringing two or three ingredients together, sometimes including codeine. See combination pain medicines and ibuprofen and paracetamol tablets.
- Topical preparations. Gels and creams applied to a painful joint or muscle, delivering much less medicine into the body.
How to choose
For fever and general aches, paracetamol is usually the straightforward choice. See medicine for fever South Africa.
For pain with swelling, such as a sprain, back pain or period pain, an anti inflammatory often works better if it suits you.
For dental pain, an anti inflammatory is frequently more effective, though the underlying problem still needs a dentist. See medicine for toothache South Africa.
The two can often be used together for pain that one alone does not control, since they work differently and each keeps its own daily limit. See paracetamol vs ibuprofen.
For a single painful joint or muscle, ask about a topical gel before a tablet.
The rule that prevents most harm
Read the active ingredients on every box before taking anything alongside it, and keep a separate running total for each ingredient across the day.
Paracetamol hides in most cold and flu remedies and in many combination painkillers. Anti inflammatories hide in combination products too. Two boxes that look completely different can contain the same medicine.
If pain is not controlled at the stated dose, that is a reason to seek advice rather than to take more.
Safety, interactions and when to ask a pharmacist
Ask before use if you have liver or kidney problems, a stomach ulcer or history of stomach bleeding, asthma affected by anti inflammatories, heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or if you take a blood thinner or chronic medicine.
For children, use age and weight appropriate products rather than portions of adult tablets, and ask a pharmacist about dosing and about alternating medicines for fever.
Alcohol matters differently for each type: liver considerations with paracetamol, stomach and kidney risk with anti inflammatories, and sedation with codeine. See Painkillers and Alcohol.
See a doctor if pain lasts more than a few days, returns as soon as medicine wears off, or is severe. Regular painkiller use for headaches can itself perpetuate them.
For suspected paracetamol overdose, get help immediately even if the person feels well. Contact the Poisons Information Helpline on 0861 555 777 or go to an emergency department with the packaging.
Get emergency help for vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, chest pain, or a severe sudden headache. Call 10177 from a landline or 112 from a mobile phone.
Common questions
Paracetamol or ibuprofen?
Paracetamol for fever and general aches. Ibuprofen for pain with swelling, if it suits your health.
Can I take both?
Often yes, since they work differently. Each keeps its own daily maximum.
What is the most common mistake?
Taking the same ingredient from two products, usually paracetamol from a cold remedy plus a painkiller.
What if the dose is not working?
Ask a pharmacist or doctor rather than taking more. Uncontrolled pain needs assessment.
How do I dose a child?
By weight, using a paediatric product. Ask a pharmacist rather than estimating from adult tablets.
Information only and not a substitute for medical advice. Check the medicine leaflet and ask a pharmacist, doctor or qualified healthcare professional for guidance about your own situation.
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Symptom & condition guides
- Medicine for fever South Africa
- Medicine for toothache South Africa
- Ibuprofen for Inflammation
- Panado for Fever
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