Which Pain Reliever Should You Choose – Acamol, Advil, or Optalgin?
- Nina K
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
Pain is part of life – whether it’s a headache, muscle soreness, back pain, menstrual cramps, or fever. Most people keep some type of pain reliever at home, but what's the real difference between them, and how do you know which one to use?
In fact, nearly all pain relievers can help with most types of pain. However, in certain situations, doctors may prefer starting with a medication from a specific group. That doesn't mean the others aren't effective – often they all work well, but differ in how they act, their safety profile, and potential side effects.
1. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
Brand names in Israel: Acamol, DexAcamol, Paramol, Acamol Focus, Combodex, Acamol Tzinun, DexAcamol Cold.
Paracetamol is especially useful for reducing fever and easing general pain. It's considered relatively safe – including in pregnancy and for children – and is usually the first option for common symptoms like headache, muscle pain, or fever.
Adult dose: 500–1000 mg every 4–6 hours, up to 3000 mg per day.
Children: 10–15 mg/kg every 4–6 hours, based on weight.
Contraindications: Active liver disease, heavy alcohol use, known allergy.Use caution in patients with liver insufficiency or risk of liver toxicity.
Side effects: Rare at standard doses. In overdose – serious liver damage may occur, potentially requiring a liver transplant.
Acamol Focus: Contains paracetamol, caffeine, and aspirin. It acts faster, but may increase the risk of stomach bleeding or rebound headaches with frequent use.
Combodex: A combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen – more potent but requires extra care with dosing and side effects.
Acamol Tzinun and DexAcamol Cold: Designed for colds and flu symptoms, combining paracetamol with antihistamines, pseudoephedrine, or cough suppressants. These should only be used short-term and with caution in patients with high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, or if you're also taking other medications with paracetamol.
2. Dipyrone (Metamizole)
Brand names: Optalgin, V-dalgin, Dipyrone.
Dipyrone is highly effective for moderate to severe pain, including abdominal cramps, menstrual pain, dental pain, and high fever that doesn’t respond to other medications.
Adult dose: 500–1000 mg every 6–8 hours, up to 3000 mg per day.
Children: 10–20 mg/kg every 6–8 hours.
Contraindications: Allergy to the drug, history of agranulocytosis (bone marrow suppression), serious blood, liver, or kidney disorders, and use in certain stages of pregnancy.
Side effects: Rare but serious, including suppression of white blood cells (agranulocytosis), low blood pressure, and allergic reactions. While banned in many countries, it is widely and safely used in Israel under proper supervision.
3. NSAIDs – Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Examples: Ibuprofen (Advil, Nurofen), Diclofenac (Voltaren), Naproxen, Etofenamate, Arcoxia.
NSAIDs relieve pain and reduce inflammation – making them especially useful for back pain, joint pain, muscle strains, menstrual cramps, and sports injuries.
Adult dose for ibuprofen: 200–400 mg every 6–8 hours, up to 1200 mg/day (without a doctor’s prescription).
Children: 5–10 mg/kg every 6–8 hours.
Contraindications: Active stomach or intestinal ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, uncontrolled high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, liver failure, third trimester of pregnancy, and known allergies.Use caution in people with asthma sensitive to NSAIDs or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Side effects: May include gastrointestinal irritation or bleeding, elevated blood pressure, kidney injury, worsening heart failure, and rare skin or allergic reactions.
For those over 60 or with chronic health issues – always check with a doctor or pharmacist before use.
4. Aspirin
Aspirin is technically an NSAID, but it irreversibly blocks platelet activity and is mostly used in low doses to prevent heart attacks or strokes.
In Israel, aspirin is rarely used to treat pain due to its bleeding risk and the availability of safer alternatives like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
In combination products like Acamol Focus, aspirin is included to enhance effect – but should be avoided in people with a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding issues, or those taking anticoagulants.
So, how should you choose?
• For mild fever, headaches, or general body aches – paracetamol is safe and usually sufficient.
• For stronger or cramping pain (like menstrual or dental pain) – dipyrone may be more effective.
• For inflammatory pain (back pain, joints, period cramps) – NSAIDs are often preferred, with proper medical advice.
• Combination products (like Acamol Focus, Combodex, or cold/flu formulas) can help when pain is accompanied by other symptoms – but always check the ingredients to avoid double-dosing.
Everyone responds differently, and even over-the-counter painkillers can be harmful in certain situations.
If the pain is strong, keeps coming back, or doesn’t go away – it’s best to see a doctor.
At our clinic in Tel Aviv, we provide clear, professional medical care for tourists and foreign residents – including guidance on safe and effective pain relief.
