No. 1 selling osteoarthritis pain relief medication moves behind pharmacy counters

If you take Panadol Osteo to relieve your osteoarthritis pain, from June 1 the medication will move behind pharmacy counters, meaning you’ll no longer be able to self-select the product from the shelf.

The good news is you’ll still be able to purchase Panadol Osteo without a prescription – you’ll just need to speak to your pharmacist first. That’s right, all you have to do is talk to your pharmacist, who will then be able to provide you with the pain relief medication.

While this might seem like a little more hassle, it’s actually a great opportunity to talk to an expert about your osteoarthritis treatment plan. Your pharmacist can ensure you’re using your medication to its optimal effect, advise you on topical creams, gels and complementary medicines and provide info on weight management and exercise that may be helpful.

The change to how you can buy Panadol Osteo and other modified-release paracetamol products was first announced in August 2019.

The decision was welcomed by GSK Consumer Healthcare, the makers of Panadol Osteo, which said it was a positive change that will allow Australians who suffer from osteoarthritis to discuss their treatment plans with their pharmacists in more depth.

Panadol Osteo is the most popular pain-relief brand for osteoarthritis in Australia, with a higher dose of paracetamol than regular Panadol tablets, making it a convenient choice for osteoarthritis sufferers. It also contains a unique bi-layer technology: one layer dissolves rapidly for fast pain relief and the other layer dissolves slowly to provide pain relief for up to 8 hours.

About osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in Australia, with around 2.2 million people currently living with this painful condition, according to statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterised by the breakdown of the cartilage that overlies the ends of bones in joints. This results in the bones rubbing together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion. Osteoarthritis mostly affects the hands, spine and joints such as hips, knees and ankles, and usually gets worse over time.

While there’s currently no cure for the condition, many people with osteoarthritis manage their pain with pain relief products like Panadol Osteo. Other ways to manage osteoarthritis include undertaking regular low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, rowing, tai chi, yoga, pilates, swimming and water aerobics.

Ask your pharmacist – they must decide if this product is right for you. Incorrect use could be harmful. There is no change in QLD and WA and select pharmacies across Australia where modified release paracetamol is already behind the counter. Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies. ©2020 GSK group of companies or its licensor. 

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.