Nurofen Migraine Pain

...Kool'n'Soothe and today's subject matter, Nurofen Migraine Pain tablets.

What Are They?
============
Nurofen Migraine Pain tablets have been specifically designed for migraine sufferers, though they are suitable for normal headaches too. Once a migraine sets in, it can be extremely difficult for it's victims to find suitable relief. This is because the stomach tends to shut down, which prevents medicines being absorbed; ...
...relief with them; I carry Nurofen Migraine Pain.

The active ingredient in these tablets is ibuprofen (in the form of Ibuprofen Lysine). Nurofen and many other brands use Ibuprofen, but this specific form can be absorbed "more than twice as fast" as the Ibuprofen in normal Nurofen. Iburprofen Lysine is from a group of drugs known as NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, used for pain relief. As I've said, it can ... more

I expect that I am fast becoming known as "The Migraine Queen" around Ciao due to the number of reviews for pain relief related to headaches. I'm not alone in my suffering as it is estimated that approximately 1 in 6 people in the UK are afflicted with migraine. Depending on where you look for information, women are at least twice as likely to be affected as men and most migraineurs are under 45. Migraine can affect your whole life from studying and working, to family and your sex life. It is a highly misunderstood condition, but with more and more funding, research and support groups, migraine is becoming easier to live with.

My migraines began when I was about 5 years old and followed me through my teens and now, into my twenties. I am quite unfortunate, as I have no known "triggers" for my headaches, they simply appear when I am least expecting them. Recently I have had the odd flash of light, known as aura, but these are very small pinpricks of colour, which are easily missed.

As you can imagine, over the past 20 years I have tried numerous different over-the-counter painkillers, prescription drugs, alternative therapies, home remedies, and have more often than not resorted to a darkened room. In 2004 I discovered two products that have enabled me to steer clear of my doctor for a number of months: Migraine Kool'n'Soothe and today's subject matter, Nurofen Migraine Pain tablets.

What Are They?
============
Nurofen Migraine Pain tablets have been specifically designed for migraine sufferers, though they are suitable for normal headaches too. Once a migraine sets in, it can be extremely difficult for it's victims to find suitable relief. This is because the stomach tends to shut down, which prevents medicines being absorbed; this is why soluble painkillers are recommend as they may be absorbed more easily. It's easy to say, "Take a tablet when you feel the first niggle," but it isn't always that straightforward. Most sufferers carry some sort of pain relief with them; I carry Nurofen Migraine Pain.

The active ingredient in these tablets is ibuprofen (in the form of Ibuprofen Lysine). Nurofen and many other brands use Ibuprofen, but this specific form can be absorbed "more than twice as fast" as the Ibuprofen in normal Nurofen. Iburprofen Lysine is from a group of drugs known as NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, used for pain relief. As I've said, it can be difficult to absorb medicine when you have a migraine, but the lysine salts break down more easily than ibuprofen alone, which helps it to enter the blood stream. This is the only part that lysine plays.

Price, Packaging & Where to Buy:
=========================
My biggest complaint with Nurofen Migraine Pain, and indeed many other painkillers nowadays, is that you can only buy them in packs of 12. At £2.89 (Boots.co.uk), these are one of the more expensive painkillers as your basic Ibuprofen tablets made by Boots can be bought for £3.79 for 50 caplets! A pretty big difference, but I've tried both and know which I'd choose for migraine pain.

It's not hard to spot the Nurofen brand on the shelves. The trademark "target" image in red, orange, yellow and white can be seen a mile off! The rest of the cardboard packet is silver and red with a small picture of two tablets under the statement, "effective, rapid relief".

I usually buy all my medicines from my local Boots but Nurofen is a widely stocked brand and can be found in any pharmacy across the UK. Most supermarkets stock Nurofen, but I don't know whether they are selling the Migraine Pain variant just yet.

Dosage, Side-Effects & Warnings:
=========================
Sadly, Nurofen Migraine Pain is unsuitable for children under 12 years. Adults may take 1 or 2 tablets no closer than four hours apart, but must not exceed 6 in a 24-hour period. Each tablet contains 200mg of Ibuprofen (the active ingredient), Povidone and sodium starch glycollate, to name a few!

Included in every pack is a leaflet, which gives the basic information that you need. This leaflet states that side-effects are uncommon, but can include the following: "stomach discomfort or pain, nausea, stomach ulcer, black tarry stools, worsening of asthma, unexplained wheezing or shortness of breath, liver and kidney problems, headache (!), dizziness and hearing disturbance and rarely skin rash, itching, peeling, easy bruising or facial swelling." My doctor once explained to me that if just one person in a trial has some sort of complaint when using a drug, the complaint then HAS to be listed regardless of whether or not the problem was actually caused by the drug. This safeguards the manufacturer in case someone else suffers the same. I usually tend not to read the side effects as I've found I am more likely to get them than if I simply take the medicine without looking!

You really do need to read "before you take Nurofen Migraine Pain", found in the leaflet, as there are a number of conditions which will prevent you taking it: "if you are allergic to NSAIDs or any of the other ingredients, if you've previously had a stomach ulcer, if you're under 12." If you have asthma or have had asthma in the past, have had problems with your liver or kidneys, take medicine for high blood pressure, or are pregnant or breast-feeding, it is advisable to speak with your GP. Alternatively, ask your pharmacist if you're worried that Nurofen Migraine Pain may interfere with other drugs that you take regularly.

Effectiveness:
==========
This is rather a bold statement to make, but I have never come across a more effective medicine other than prescription-only drugs! I used to be so sceptical of over-the-counter painkillers as I stupidly thought that only a prescription drug would be strong enough. That has all changed! Nurofen Migraine Pain has yet to fail me. Even when my migraine is in full swing I've found that the pain either subsides substantially or that it goes away completely. I usually take a couple of tablets, stick on a Migraine Kool'n'Soothe, and take to the sofa. Within 30 minutes to an hour, I feel good enough to get up again, though I tend to take it easy. Most of the prescription drugs that I've taken in years gone by have never taken effect that quickly, nor have they worked if the migraine is already raging.

I cannot recommend these tablets highly enough; they are always in my medicine cabinet. Though I am soon to begin a course of preventative tablets for migraine, I will be asking my doctor if I can continue taking Nurofen Migraine Pain should I come under attack!

Further Information:
===============
www.nurofen.co.uk/main.asp?pid=203

Migraine Information:
================
www.migraine.org.uk
www.netdoctor.co.uk
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Other Medicines & Therapies:
======================
Magnesium: To be taken as magnesium - 500 mg daily.
Vitamin B2: 400 mg daily - this is much higher than the recommended daily allowance and you will not obtain the required amount from a B-complex product.
Co-enzyme Q10: for details of an open study investigating the effects on patients with migraine, click here.
Ginger: can be helpful in treating he nausea associated with migraine and there is some evidence of efficacy in preventing attack
(Above medicines taken from advice on www.migraine.org.uk)

Homeopathy
Acupuncture
Reflexology
Indian Head Massage

Copyright of blingblings 2005 

...less