Pain Medications

Analgesics and anti-inflammatories: what we stock and how they differ

Pain relief at PCTMart spans several groups. The traditional NSAIDs include diclofenac sodium, aceclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen and ketorolac. The COX-2 selective medicines, etoricoxib and celecoxib, are stocked for people who need an anti-inflammatory but tolerate the older ones poorly. Paracetamol appears alone and, far more often, paired with something else. The category also carries gout treatments including allopurinol and febuxostat, and topical preparations for local use.

Combination analgesics and accidental doubling up

Combination products are everywhere in this range and are the main thing to read carefully. Diclofenac with paracetamol, aceclofenac with paracetamol, ibuprofen with paracetamol, aceclofenac with cyclobenzaprine and aspirin with dipyridamole all appear, each written with two strengths. The risk with combinations is doubling up without realising: taking a paracetamol tablet alongside a combination that already contains it is one of the more common accidental overdoses, and the same applies to stacking two NSAIDs.

Common strengths and sustained-release forms

Common strengths include diclofenac at 50MG and 100MG, aceclofenac at 100MG, etoricoxib at 60MG, 90MG and 120MG, ibuprofen at 200MG, 400MG and 600MG, and celecoxib at 100MG and 200MG. Sustained-release versions exist for several and behave differently from the immediate-release form at the same number.

NSAID cautions and interactions

NSAIDs as a group affect the stomach lining, kidney function and blood pressure, and they interact with blood thinners, some blood pressure medicines and each other. If you take any of those, check with a pharmacist before adding an anti-inflammatory. The active ingredient filter is the quickest way to find a specific molecule across brands. Everything ships from India through licensed distributors, with the guaranteed minimum expiry shown on each product page before you add it to your basket.

Topical options, and what still applies to them

Topical options are worth considering where the pain is local. Diclofenac gels and sprays act mainly at the site of application, which is why they are sometimes chosen when an oral anti-inflammatory is unsuitable. They still count towards your overall NSAID exposure, so do not treat a gel as free of the cautions that apply to the tablets.

Tubes and packs are listed in grams and tablet counts respectively, and both are shown on each product page alongside the guaranteed minimum expiry date.