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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to wonder why people buy branded painkillers

29 replies

LividofLondon · 04/04/2013 17:28

AIBU to wonder why people buy branded painkillers when they are so much more expensive than non-branded painkillers? I'm talking about the basic ranges where the ingredients can be compared like for like, for example:

16 Sainsbury's Ibuprofen caplets = £0.35 (2p per 200mg tablet)

16 Nurofen Pain Killer caplets (each caplet contains: Ibuprofen 200mg) = £1.95 (12p per 200mg tablet)

OK, some of the branded painkillers also have extra ingredients to make them better, but these 2 are the same (both only contain 200mg ibuprofen). I've even heard pharmacists saying they're the same. Why spend more than you need to?

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 04/04/2013 17:30

Is it because some people have more money than sense? Confused

sooperdooper · 04/04/2013 17:31

I have no idea, I had to point this out to DH recently when he picked up the branded ones and I told him they were the same and to get the own brand, he had no idea and assumed the Nurofen etc were stronger/better - that's advetising for you

The more expensive ones do tnd to have a different coating so can be easier to swallow, but thats the only difference I'm aware of

MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel · 04/04/2013 17:34

I can't swallow tablets well, I buy the branded ones because they are easier to swallow, and if I'm feeling very run down I pay extra for the ones with added caffine in them.

VinegarDrinker · 04/04/2013 17:34

Didn't we have this exact thread a couple of weeks ago?

denialandpanic · 04/04/2013 17:42

my dp can't have lactose so has to buy branded ibuprofen but cheap as chips paracetamol. lactose is a bulking agent in do many tablets

Original poster
LividofLondon · 04/04/2013 17:46

"Didn't we have this exact thread a couple of weeks ago?"

Apologies if we did, I have no idea.

OP posts:
PolterGooseLaidAChocolateEgg · 04/04/2013 17:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

doctorhamster · 04/04/2013 18:23

Because people believe that the branded ones will work better I suppose. I always think the same about nappies and baby wipes...why would you spend so much on pampers when own brand are less than half the price?

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 04/04/2013 18:28

Oh i agree. The price difference is so massive it makes no sense at all.

I buy non-branded double strength ibuprofen. Excellent.

Polter that is interesting. Maybe my own placebo effect is down to a smug satsifaction at having saved money .......

dexter73 · 04/04/2013 18:29

My mum does because she thinks they are better than non-branded painkillers. She won't listen!!

DoJo · 04/04/2013 18:31

Ah the placebo effect - branded painkillers do technically work better, but it's not down to the ingredients. Interestingly, they work better even if the person taking them knows that they will only work better down to the placebo effect.

LovesBeingWokenEveryNight · 04/04/2013 18:34

I used too till I couldn't afford them and if I ever get to the point of having money again I won't buy them then

showtunesgirl · 04/04/2013 18:35

I am a busybody and can't help pointing this out to complete strangers sometimes.

Most of the time, people then buy the cheap one oncI show them the ingredients list. But you will get some people who go: oh but the brande one works better. Confused

EuroShaggleton · 04/04/2013 18:35

Vinegar I thought exactly the same! The other thread generated loads of responses.

Catchingmockingbirds · 04/04/2013 18:36

I struggle to swallow tablets so get the branded ones as they're easier to swallow.

showtunesgirl · 04/04/2013 18:37

Sorry, on phone. Hence typos!

MakingAnotherList · 04/04/2013 18:38

Vinegar and Euro, yes. I definitely remember reading this a few weeks ago.

RaisingGirls · 04/04/2013 18:38

The price of the supermarket ones is easier for me to swallow Wink

Sorry. Feeling facetious.

ParadiseChick · 04/04/2013 18:41

I agree, it's madness. Sometimes they have caffeine added to make you feel better quicker.

I just take 25p paracetamol with my cup of coffee for the same effect.

Owllady · 04/04/2013 18:42

I think the liquid ones work better and most shops don't do own brand of those, round here anyway, we are 30 years behind everyone else

digerd · 04/04/2013 19:21

Liquid medication does get through your digestive system quicker.
I used to take soluble Paracodol - enormous tablets dissolved in water- and they worked in less than10 minutes while tablets took 20 minutes.

cocolepew · 04/04/2013 19:27

I gave a workmate 2 ibruprofen for a sore head. She came in later and asked me what they were because they were so good.
She was Shock when I told her they were 45p Asda ones. She never bought supermarket ones because she though they were sub standard.

BackforGood · 04/04/2013 19:41

But it's the same with all sorts of things, isn't it - sanitary towels for example - I can't believe that there are people daft enough to pay out £s when you can get stuff for pence, but there always are Confused

jamdonut · 04/04/2013 20:27

If you were to get a prescription for paracetamol or Ibuprofen (like you could in the old days) they would be generic, none branded ones. That is the reason they are not prescribed very often by GP's now, because the prescription charge is £7 + , and paracetamol is very cheap,so there's no point.

Sirzy · 04/04/2013 20:31

sanitary towels for example - I can't believe that there are people daft enough to pay out £s when you can get stuff for pence, but there always are

Cheap ones aren't comfy though!

As for painkillers I ofen buy the nurofen melts because I struggle with tablets so they are great for when out and about and have no water to hand. I have a box of bog standard brufrn to hand for most of the time though