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Compound analgesics are those with multiple active ingredients; they include many of the stronger prescription analgesics.
Active ingredients that have been commonly used in compound analgesics include:
- aspirin or ibuprofen
- caffeine
- codeine or oxycodone
- paracetamol (acetaminophen)
- phenacetin
There is evidence that a compound of two analgesics with different mechanism of action can have an increased painkilling effect over the sum of the effect of each individual analgesic.[1]
Several such formulations have disappeared from over-the-counter status in drug store aisles and other retail outlets. One example is APC (aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine) compound tablets common from the 1940s to 1983; because of harmful side effects of phenacetin, Anacin in the U.S. was reformulated to eliminate it; while Vincent's APC is no longer sold. Some others have been judged to contribute too often to substance abuse.[citation needed]
Lenoltec is a compound analgesic that comes in four strengths:
Another example is Bex, a once popular Australian compound analgesic which is no longer sold. It contained 42% aspirin, 42% phenacetin, plus caffeine.[2]
The United States Food and Drug Administration also now requires that manufacturers of compound analgesics unequivocally state each ingredient's purpose.[citation needed]
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