Nurofen Zavance

Nurofen Zavance is a soft capsule with 400 mg of ibuprofen in each capsule. Ibuprofen belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which the NHS describes as helping to relieve pain and reduce swelling and inflammation. It can also lower a fever.

What sets it apart from an ordinary tablet is that the box says the ibuprofen is already dissolved, inside a soft capsule that is easy to swallow. It is made by Patheon Softgels B.V. in the Netherlands and imported into Thailand by Reckitt Benckiser (Thailand) Ltd.

We sell it as a box of 10 capsules, which is the version registered in Thailand under number 1C 150/57. It is not the 256 mg Nurofen Zavance tablet sold in other countries, which is a different product.

The label on the box says it relieves inflammation, pain and fever, for these complaints.

• Headache, including one-sided headache (migraine)
• Period pain
• Toothache
• Muscle pain or inflamed tendons, and inflammation of the joints
• Aches from sinusitis
• Pain and fever from a cold or influenza

What is ibuprofen 400 good for? It deals with pain, inflammation and fever only. It does not remove the cause, such as a cold virus or a sinus infection. If the pain does not improve or gets worse, see a doctor instead of carrying on taking it.

According to the label on the box, adults and children aged 12 and over take 1 capsule with water every 6 hours when they have symptoms, and should not take more than 3 capsules a day unless a doctor says so.

1. Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not chew it.
2. Take it with or after food, because the NHS advises this to reduce stomach irritation.
3. Take it only when you have pain or a fever. If the symptoms are gone, you do not need to keep to the clock.
4. Leave at least 6 hours before the next capsule.

If you take more than the label says, one extra dose is unlikely to cause problems, but the NHS says to get medical advice because an overdose can sometimes be serious. Take the box and the leaflet with you. If the symptoms do not improve on the label dose, stop and talk to a pharmacist or doctor.

The side effects of ibuprofen that the NHS lists as common are indigestion or stomach ache, feeling sick, being sick, headache, a rash, dizziness, and diarrhoea or constipation. Most people have only mild effects, and taking the capsule with food helps reduce stomach irritation.

Serious side effects are rare but more likely with a high dose or long use. They are stomach ulcers or bleeding in the stomach, a severe allergic reaction, and kidney problems.

• Stomach bleeding: tummy pain, shortness of breath, pale skin, vomiting blood, or black, sticky, tar-like poo.
• Allergic reaction: a swollen throat or tongue, a raised itchy rash, or difficulty breathing.
• Kidney problems: shortness of breath, blood in the pee, or swelling in the ankles, feet or hands.

The box also says that if a red rash or cold-like symptoms appear after taking it, you should stop the medicine and see a doctor straight away.

The label on the box says not to use it in these cases.

• People who are allergic to it, or who have asthma, hives or acute inflamed nasal passages brought on by aspirin or other NSAIDs
• People with bleeding in the stomach or gut, or a stomach ulcer
• People with severe liver or kidney disease
• People with dengue fever
• Women in the last trimester of pregnancy, who should avoid it unless a doctor says otherwise

The NHS says to check with a pharmacist or doctor first if you have a heart condition, have had a stroke, have a blood clotting problem, have asthma or allergies, or have chickenpox. Children under 12 should not take this capsule, because the label sets 12 years as the minimum age.

Store the capsules below 30 degrees Celsius and keep them out of reach of children.

Painkillers with 400 mg of ibuprofen share the same active ingredient and strength, and differ in form and brand. The others in our store are:

• Gofen — ibuprofen 400 mg as a tablet, 10 tablets per strip. Choose it if you prefer a tablet to a capsule.
• Ibrofen 400 FC — ibuprofen 400 mg as a film-coated tablet, 10 tablets per strip. Choose it if you prefer a coated tablet that is easy to swallow.
• Nurofen Zavance — ibuprofen 400 mg as a soft capsule with the dose already dissolved, 10 capsules per box. Choose it if you want a soft capsule from the Nurofen brand.

All three have the same dose and the same warnings, so do not take two of them together or one after another within the same 6 hours. That would double the ibuprofen. Always follow the daily limit on the label of the one you choose.

In short: the active ingredient is the same, so choose by the form that is easiest for you to swallow and the brand you trust. If you are unsure, ask a pharmacist.

The NHS says ibuprofen can be taken with paracetamol if needed, because they belong to different groups of medicine.

What you should not do is take it with another NSAID painkiller such as aspirin or naproxen, because that raises the risk of serious side effects such as stomach ulcers.

Medicines that may not mix well with ibuprofen include:

• Anticoagulants, such as warfarin
• Steroid medicines
• Antidepressants
• Medicines to lower blood pressure

If you take any regular medicine, tell a pharmacist or doctor that you plan to use this capsule, and give the names of everything you take, including supplements and herbal medicines.

Where can I buy Nurofen Zavance?

Order online at Intimo Life, with delivery across Thailand in 1-3 working days. Orders are packed discreetly for privacy, and the product name is not shown on the parcel.