Migraine PageOver the Counter medication compared
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Over the Counter medication compared
kloos Thu Jun 04, 2015 7:05 am
Hi All,
So I was in need of some new drugs and decided to do a search on-line to see what the internet had to offer. Purely legal and over the counter, but the internet let's you look at many shops without loosing the shoe leather! It was shocking what I discovered and really shows how vulnerable we migraine sufferers are to being ripped off.
The worst example that I came upon is Migraleve Yellow tablets. They are marketed directly at people with migraines and we are a desperate lot so will quite eagerly try anything. 24 Migraleve tablets cost £5.59 which is 23p per tablet. The active ingredients are 500mg of Paracetamol and 8mg of Codeine. For 84p you can get 32 unbranded Co-codamol tablets with exactly the same ingredients in. That's 3p per tablet!
You can see the full comparison chart over on my blog here: Over the Counter Drugs Compared. Let me know if I have missed any and I will happily update the chart.
So I was in need of some new drugs and decided to do a search on-line to see what the internet had to offer. Purely legal and over the counter, but the internet let's you look at many shops without loosing the shoe leather! It was shocking what I discovered and really shows how vulnerable we migraine sufferers are to being ripped off.
The worst example that I came upon is Migraleve Yellow tablets. They are marketed directly at people with migraines and we are a desperate lot so will quite eagerly try anything. 24 Migraleve tablets cost £5.59 which is 23p per tablet. The active ingredients are 500mg of Paracetamol and 8mg of Codeine. For 84p you can get 32 unbranded Co-codamol tablets with exactly the same ingredients in. That's 3p per tablet!
You can see the full comparison chart over on my blog here: Over the Counter Drugs Compared. Let me know if I have missed any and I will happily update the chart.
kloos- Posts : 30
Join date : 2014-12-18
Location : Manchester, UK
AMAZED IN THE USA!
flo_02472 Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:09 pm
I do not understand the UK pricing but I can't believe that codeine is sold in an over-the-counter pill. You sure do your research!
Would you reply or comment to, flo_024722yahoo.com Thanks, Flo
Would you reply or comment to, flo_024722yahoo.com Thanks, Flo
flo_02472- Posts : 36
Join date : 2009-12-17
Age : 77
Location : MA
Re: Over the Counter medication compared
kloos Fri Jun 05, 2015 3:44 am
Hi Flo,
Thanks for your comments. I did omit to say that all prices are in £GBP so I have updated the blog accordingly. Yup we can get easily get codeine over the counter in the UK!
Thanks for your comments. I did omit to say that all prices are in £GBP so I have updated the blog accordingly. Yup we can get easily get codeine over the counter in the UK!
kloos- Posts : 30
Join date : 2014-12-18
Location : Manchester, UK
Re: Over the Counter medication compared
Mini Fri Jun 05, 2015 5:41 am
Yes, it is possible to purchase codeine as a painkiller over the counter in every chemist shop in UK. The chemist will usually ask what other medication you take, and if you have taken codeine before and advise you accordingly.
However, unlike in US, it is practically impossible to have more powerful painkillers prescribed by your doctor, no matter how bad your pain is. There is a whole range of powerful medicines, that our doctors will not prescribe which are readily available in US (for other conditions, too). Just different rules. I am glad that we are not prescribed some of those most powerful painkillers, because it only causes more problems.
I have also noticed that many branded medicines sold over the counter are the same like the supermarket brands, only much, much more expensive.
Years ago I have found out, that it pays to read the contains of each pack of painkiller on the cover of each pack (shame it is usually in tiny lettering) and that you can save yourself a fortune over the years by buying the supermarket brands.
Branded only means more expensive, not better; it is the same product. You just pay for their packaging and advertising.
Thank you kloos for bringing it to our attention here.
However, unlike in US, it is practically impossible to have more powerful painkillers prescribed by your doctor, no matter how bad your pain is. There is a whole range of powerful medicines, that our doctors will not prescribe which are readily available in US (for other conditions, too). Just different rules. I am glad that we are not prescribed some of those most powerful painkillers, because it only causes more problems.
I have also noticed that many branded medicines sold over the counter are the same like the supermarket brands, only much, much more expensive.
Years ago I have found out, that it pays to read the contains of each pack of painkiller on the cover of each pack (shame it is usually in tiny lettering) and that you can save yourself a fortune over the years by buying the supermarket brands.
Branded only means more expensive, not better; it is the same product. You just pay for their packaging and advertising.
Thank you kloos for bringing it to our attention here.
Mini- Posts : 864
Join date : 2010-11-06
UK IS MORE GENEROUS WITH PAIN PILL DISPENSING OVER-COUNTE
flo_02472 Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:39 pm
Have you taken Migralieve? Does it help relieve the migraine? I am not sure of your name but I am Flo & you? How long have you had migraines & how are they treated in the UK?
flo_02472- Posts : 36
Join date : 2009-12-17
Age : 77
Location : MA
ME FLO AGAIN.......................
flo_02472 Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:50 pm
Unfortunately I have only partial vision so I never can read those damn labels. I take Fiorocet (small help) & Imitrex seldom because it costs a lot & limited by insurance (help better)
flo_02472- Posts : 36
Join date : 2009-12-17
Age : 77
Location : MA
Re: Over the Counter medication compared
Mini Sat Jun 06, 2015 6:19 am
Hi, Flo,
I am so sorry about your vision this really is a big problem when reading all the labels.
I also have various food sensitivities that affect my migraines (M).
Things like MSG and aspartame, or other artificial sweeteners, so I need to read labels and this is a big problem for me ( I never have any low calorie drinks, or deserts because of that, they add them to everything it seems).
Also soya and soya products, so all Chinese food is a no-no, a bad M trigger for me.
It is difficult to read the labels, when I am buying stuff.
Anyway, about M treatment in UK.
I had M since childhood and I am now retired, but I went through many stages of M pain.
Now my M is reasonably under control thanks to using preventative: Gabapentin 1800mg daily.
I have stopped all OTC medicines before that, because I was getting bad rebound pain from paracetamol and codeine (I think this is called Tylenol in US).
I was able to do it in hospital (5 days), so it was not too bad. Now I only take OTC very occasionally, when I run out of Imitrex, which is still the most effective medicine for my M, when I need it.
I am so sorry that the cost makes it difficult for you to use it. This is so unfair.
Our medicines are free, when you retire or are disabled, but I am worried since this new government is messing up out our free NHS already, by bringing in private business. We are all very worried.
I am fortunate to have a wonderful, caring neurologist who specialises in Migraine, but it took me some time to find the right doctor and the best hospital in London. I tried many other doctors before I found the right one.
I have also had recently two courses of Botox, but they did not make much difference, so far. I might have a third course, I will see.
But basically my M is more manageable these days, it is never as bad as it was when I was younger, when I was violently sick etc, etc.
I have also been trying to eliminate as many triggers as possible, over the years such as smelly chemicals in the house (NO bleach in any form!) I just just use steam for cleaning, and soda to rub things. I have also given up my beloved perfume because it was making my head much worse.
it is nice meeting you, Flo
I hope that the larger letters will make it easier for you to read
I wish you all the best
Mini
PS
I forgot to add that it might be useful for you to carry with you a small magnifying glass when you go to supermarket or chemist to buy cheaper medicines, so you can read the small letters, then you will remember the name of the packet for future use.
No, I don't remember using Migraleve.
.
I am so sorry about your vision this really is a big problem when reading all the labels.
I also have various food sensitivities that affect my migraines (M).
Things like MSG and aspartame, or other artificial sweeteners, so I need to read labels and this is a big problem for me ( I never have any low calorie drinks, or deserts because of that, they add them to everything it seems).
Also soya and soya products, so all Chinese food is a no-no, a bad M trigger for me.
It is difficult to read the labels, when I am buying stuff.
Anyway, about M treatment in UK.
I had M since childhood and I am now retired, but I went through many stages of M pain.
Now my M is reasonably under control thanks to using preventative: Gabapentin 1800mg daily.
I have stopped all OTC medicines before that, because I was getting bad rebound pain from paracetamol and codeine (I think this is called Tylenol in US).
I was able to do it in hospital (5 days), so it was not too bad. Now I only take OTC very occasionally, when I run out of Imitrex, which is still the most effective medicine for my M, when I need it.
I am so sorry that the cost makes it difficult for you to use it. This is so unfair.
Our medicines are free, when you retire or are disabled, but I am worried since this new government is messing up out our free NHS already, by bringing in private business. We are all very worried.
I am fortunate to have a wonderful, caring neurologist who specialises in Migraine, but it took me some time to find the right doctor and the best hospital in London. I tried many other doctors before I found the right one.
I have also had recently two courses of Botox, but they did not make much difference, so far. I might have a third course, I will see.
But basically my M is more manageable these days, it is never as bad as it was when I was younger, when I was violently sick etc, etc.
I have also been trying to eliminate as many triggers as possible, over the years such as smelly chemicals in the house (NO bleach in any form!) I just just use steam for cleaning, and soda to rub things. I have also given up my beloved perfume because it was making my head much worse.
it is nice meeting you, Flo
I hope that the larger letters will make it easier for you to read
I wish you all the best
Mini
PS
I forgot to add that it might be useful for you to carry with you a small magnifying glass when you go to supermarket or chemist to buy cheaper medicines, so you can read the small letters, then you will remember the name of the packet for future use.
No, I don't remember using Migraleve.
.
Mini- Posts : 864
Join date : 2010-11-06
Re: Over the Counter medication compared
kloos Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:44 am
It seems that this is in the news at last. Nurofen have be found out in Australia for selling exactly the same drug in different packets for different prices. They are certainly not the worst offenders as that prize went to Migraleve Yellow tablets. Let's hope that this is the beginning of a big shake up for the pharmaceutical companies as they need to be on their toes right now.
kloos- Posts : 30
Join date : 2014-12-18
Location : Manchester, UK
HI FROM THE USA
flo_02472 Mon Dec 28, 2015 8:34 pm
I AM FLO FROM MASSACHUSETTS & VERRRRRY LATE IN CONTACTING YOU. I TOO AM RETIRED & WITH DAILY HEADACHES & MIGRAINES FOR OVER 40 YEARS. I DO NOT CHECK THIS SITE OFTEN BECAUSE I HAVE OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT SET ME BACK. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN EMAIL ME SOMETIME TO CHAT @flo_02472@yahoo.com
flo_02472- Posts : 36
Join date : 2009-12-17
Age : 77
Location : MA
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