best pain killer over the counter

[JackGats]

Ibuprofen, Diclofenac.

 

For some headaches Tramadol does nothing for me, but aspirin does!

 

Note that Tramadol has no anti-inflammatory effect, while NSAIDs have.

 

Naproxen is akin to Ibuprofen but it stays in your blood for much longr. It can be used as a kind of delayed-onset Ibuprofen.

 

I read Ibuprofen could make you test positive for meth.

[ChipButty]

Have you tried Nurofen? it is an English brand but they do sell them here in Phuket Ive seen in my local pharmacy, 

[scubascuba3]

42 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Have you tried Nurofen? it is an English brand but they do sell them here in Phuket Ive seen in my local pharmacy, 

That's just ibuprofen? 

[norsurin]

The best i ever get in Thailand is YA KLAI SEN.Many thais use that and i really recommend that 

U can buy it in every farmacy.Wery cheap.

[Brave-Fart]

23 hours ago, madone said:

Tramadol is an opiate, not an over-the-counter drug. 

As long as you have a prescription for them , I took tramadol for over 12 years in Australia 

[madone]

4 minutes ago, Brave-Fart said:

As long as you have a prescription for them , I took tramadol for over 12 years in Australia 

 

You do understand over-the-counter means no prescription necessary, and that we are talking about Thailand right?

[madone]

20 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

That's just ibuprofen? 

yes

[madone]

23 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I know someone who may be addicted to tramodol, face has turned grey 

I met an entire crew of Tramadol addicted British boiler room boys in Manila. It was just another reason to get the hell out of the Philippines

[Hawaiian]

22 hours ago, cdemundo said:

Topical diclofenac, (Difelene) and ibuprofen tablets work fairly well for me.

 

But after reading here will be trying naproxen.

Topical Voltaren (diclofenac sodium) works for me.  I only use a fraction of the recommended amount of gel.  

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, JackGats said:

.

 

I read Ibuprofen could make you test positive for meth.

 

As can many other drugs.

[scubascuba3]

38 minutes ago, madone said:

I met an entire crew of Tramadol addicted British boiler room boys in Manila. It was just another reason to get the hell out of the Philippines

Why do they get addicted to tramodol? Must be better drugs around. 

 

I remember going to Laos and all the Dr Os were skinny with grey faces

[madone]

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Why do they get addicted to tramodol? Must be better drugs around. 

 

I remember going to Laos and all the Dr Os were skinny with grey faces

cheap, available

[KhaoHom]

On 7/16/2025 at 2:04 PM, BritManToo said:

Tramadol, but you might only be able to find it in a mix with paracetamol.

 

This isn't OTC and it's not exactly found in just any drugstore and they might not even sell to you even if they had it

 

It's a full blown narcotic

[KhaoHom]

Depends what you are treating!

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

This isn't OTC and it's not exactly found in just any drugstore and they might not even sell to you even if they had it

 

It's a full blown narcotic

 

I didn't think you could by anything that acts on the central nervous system......even in Thailand.

[KhaoHom]

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

 

I didn't think you could by anything that acts on the central nervous system......even in Thailand.

 

You can find it but it's not something you just stroll into a boots and ask for.  There's a reason for that it's not good for you.

 

Ibuprofen

Naproxen

Diclofenac

 

All work wonders on back, muscle pain, but not good for edrenal system.

 

I suppose if the cops happened to even stop you at that stuff in your pocket you be in trouble. Just saying

[cdemundo]

1 hour ago, Hawaiian said:

Topical Voltaren (diclofenac sodium) works for me.  I only use a fraction of the recommended amount of gel.  

I agree, the recommended amount is way more than I need.

In fact it would not be absorbed even with extensive rubbing it in.

I have found the less expensive difelene to be just as good as Voltaren, I believe the ingredients and concentration is the same.

 

[newbee2022]

On 7/16/2025 at 2:02 PM, anotherexpat4444 said:

what is a best painkiller over the counter to buy in thailand  for knee pain

First diagnosis, then treatment. Not the other way round !!

[cdemundo]

8 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

You can find it but it's not something you just stroll into a boots and ask for.  There's a reason for that it's not good for you.

 

Ibuprofen

Naproxen

Diclofenac

 

All work wonders on back, muscle pain, but not good for edrenal system.

 

I suppose if the cops happened to even stop you at that stuff in your pocket you be in trouble. Just saying

Ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac (all NSAIDs) do not directly affect the adrenal system, but they can interact with it in indirect or secondary ways, especially with long-term use or in people with certain conditions.

Do NSAIDs affect adrenal hormone production directly?

No — NSAIDs do not directly suppress or stimulate adrenal hormone production. They don’t act on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis like corticosteroids do.

 

Maybe you are thinking of corticosteroids.

Are you a Seventh Day Adventist or something?

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, cdemundo said:

Ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac (all NSAIDs) do not directly affect the adrenal system, but they can interact with it in indirect or secondary ways, especially with long-term use or in people with certain conditions.

Do NSAIDs affect adrenal hormone production directly?

No — NSAIDs do not directly suppress or stimulate adrenal hormone production. They don’t act on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis like corticosteroids do.

 

Maybe you are thinking of corticosteroids.

Are you a Seventh Day Adventist or something?

 

I think he meant to say renal system (kidney). These drugs are indeed contraindicated in kidney disease and can cause kidney damage if taken regularly especially in high dosage.

 

They are however completely over the counter in Thailand, and readily and legally bought without prescription contrary to what another poster wrote.

[connda]

On 7/16/2025 at 2:02 PM, anotherexpat4444 said:

what is a best painkiller over the counter to buy in thailand  for knee pain

Tramadol - It won't necessarily kill the pain, but it keeps you happy in a warm fuzzy glow sorta way so you don't care so much about being in pain. You have to shop around for 50mg Tram. You'll find it most likely at some Mom & Pop pharmacy.  Maybe 10% of the pharmacies carry it and the big pharmacies usually don't.  However about half will carry Ultraset which is 37.5mg Tramadol in a paracetamol tablet. I'll warn you up front. You'll develop tolerance to it if you use it for an extended period of time. Guaranteed. Then you'll be tempted to bump the dose. A dose of 50 mg a day is a start, but I don't recommend ever going over 150 mg/day. Just don't! Taper until you've quit and take a break for a month, then go back on.  Most people can't wean themselves off of opioids if they were unable to control their intake in the first place.  "Tickling the dragon" as opposed to "Chasing the dragon."  You don't want to chase the dragon - ever.  Most people get burnt.  Gotta use restraint with any class of opioids.  If you have addictions issues - Tramadol probably isn't for you. 
THC - get a medical slip and buy away.  Like Tramadol is takes your mind off the pain.
Acupuncture - it CAN be effective.  Try it.  It will either work, or not.
Alternating heat and cold packs.
Ice therapy - read up on Wim Hof's technique.  You don't need to do full body immersion. I'll vouch for this. It can be very beneficial. 
Yoga.
The usual OTC crap like NSAIDs and paracetalmol if you don't mind kidney or liver damage respectively.
 

[atpeace]

On 7/16/2025 at 2:02 PM, anotherexpat4444 said:

what is a best painkiller over the counter to buy in thailand  for knee pain

Diclofenac and tried them all!  If this is one off, agree with Britmantoo if it is going to be very rare that you use it as in a couple times a year.  Told my brother in America to give diclofenac (pill not the silly gel )  a try. He is a competitive pickle ball player. Actually a thing in America and he makes a little money at tournaments.  Enough about my bro-555.  He called me yesterday and can't believe how he feels after 2 days of taking it. Told me it is as if he 15 years old.  

 

Diclofenac has got some bad publicity but the studies are flawed like most studies.  Have to take them with a large grain of salt.  If you are healthy, the health risks are extremely minimal and the added benefit it allows many to have life again which includes moving!  The health benefits of simply moving every day vs doing nothing IMO FAR outweigh the risk.

 

Don't take the gel because it rarely does anything.  Actually for me the gel has never helped me in the slightest the 5-10 times I tried it the last 25 years.

 

Huge diclofenac fanboy 🙂

[KhaoHom]

On 7/16/2025 at 2:02 PM, anotherexpat4444 said:

what is a best painkiller over the counter to buy in thailand  for knee pain

 

The fix isn't narcotics it's NSAIDs obviously.

 

Stay off the knee

 

Avoid walking on descending grades

 

Diclofenac tabs are amazing relief but like all NSAIDs dangerous over long periods. I think Diclofenac doubly so

[KhaoHom]

9 hours ago, connda said:

Tramadol - It won't necessarily kill the pain, but it keeps you happy in a warm fuzzy glow sorta way so you don't care so much about being in pain. You have to shop around for 50mg Tram. You'll find it most likely at some Mom & Pop pharmacy.  Maybe 10% of the pharmacies carry it and the big pharmacies usually don't.  However about half will carry Ultraset which is 37.5mg Tramadol in a paracetamol tablet. I'll warn you up front. You'll develop tolerance to it if you use it for an extended period of time. Guaranteed. Then you'll be tempted to bump the dose. A dose of 50 mg a day is a start, but I don't recommend ever going over 150 mg/day. Just don't! Taper until you've quit and take a break for a month, then go back on.  Most people can't wean themselves off of opioids if they were unable to control their intake in the first place.  "Tickling the dragon" as opposed to "Chasing the dragon."  You don't want to chase the dragon - ever.  Most people get burnt.  Gotta use restraint with any class of opioids.  If you have addictions issues - Tramadol probably isn't for you. 
THC - get a medical slip and buy away.  Like Tramadol is takes your mind off the pain.
Acupuncture - it CAN be effective.  Try it.  It will either work, or not.
Alternating heat and cold packs.
Ice therapy - read up on Wim Hof's technique.  You don't need to do full body immersion. I'll vouch for this. It can be very beneficial. 
Yoga.
The usual OTC crap like NSAIDs and paracetalmol if you don't mind kidney or liver damage respectively.
 

 

Lol

 

Recommend weed but pan NSAIDs. Must be a drug addict.

 

Too much NSAIDs will cause problems. Taking them for a few weeks not so much.

 

Weed...what a loser. Weed isn't a remedy for anything

[Formaleins]

On 7/16/2025 at 2:10 PM, hankypankee said:

The green and yellow ones are pure tramadol. 50mg. No paracetamol mixed in. Widely available. Locally made. But risk of dependency from steady use and can cause constipation. Over time, dosage may also require increase because effectivity reduces over time from steady use. 

You also might find yourself in the land of Narnia if you take too many or are any way allergic to Tramadol. I have had these off and on for years, they do work well on a lot of chronic pain, but the negative effects (for me, and over time) forced me to bin them. Do not take with alcohol unless you want to lose your mind!

[atpeace]

11 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Lol

 

Recommend weed but pan NSAIDs. Must be a drug addict.

 

Too much NSAIDs will cause problems. Taking them for a few weeks not so much.

 

Weed...what a loser. Weed isn't a remedy for anything

Data out there supports your view.  I've looked at the data from so many angles the last 20 years and have a different opinion.  It might be my biases at play but I don't think so 🙂

 

Society today is movement challenged 🙂 Throw an injury into the mix and in many cases the person really never recovers.  They at first take it easy which creates a multitude of deficiencies mentally and physically.  Not an insurmountable challenge to overcome but like I mentioned, society today is already at huge disadvantage.

 

My advice to almost anybody is get moving as soon as possible and even if it is painful.  Use your own mind and figure out how to keep moving and get better ASAP.  Bad crap happens when you wait for things to get better and in so many cases you just become a lesser person and move on with your life.  Sad and I'll always do it my way until it is obvious that another more conservative approach is warranted.

[Hawaiian]

31 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Diclofenac and tried them all!  If this is one off, agree with Britmantoo if it is going to be very rare that you use it as in a couple times a year.  Told my brother in America to give diclofenac (pill not the silly gel )  a try. He is a competitive pickle ball player. Actually a thing in America and he makes a little money at tournaments.  Enough about my bro-555.  He called me yesterday and can't believe how he feels after 2 days of taking it. Told me it is as if he 15 years old.  

 

Diclofenac has got some bad publicity but the studies are flawed like most studies.  Have to take them with a large grain of salt.  If you are healthy, the health risks are extremely minimal and the added benefit it allows many to have life again which includes moving!  The health benefits of simply moving every day vs doing nothing IMO FAR outweigh the risk.

 

Don't take the gel because it rarely does anything.  Actually for me the gel has never helped me in the slightest the 5-10 times I tried it the last 25 years.

 

Huge diclofenac fanboy 🙂

The gel works for me, although I seldom have the need for it.   I have given some to two of my friends that also say the same thing.  They like it. 

[atpeace]

Just now, Hawaiian said:

The gel works for me, although I seldom have the need for it.   I have given some to two of my friends that also say the same thing.  They like it. 

Good to hear and I have the exact opposite happen to me and my running friends.  I have read so many reviews on the gel.  Mostly out of curiosity.  Weird how it works well for many but does nothing for me.  I've actually put it on copiously and then wrapped the area in plastic wrap.  Nothing...  Cool it works for you.

[atpeace]

19 hours ago, Brave-Fart said:

As long as you have a prescription for them , I took tramadol for over 12 years in Australia 

That explains your avatar 🙂  Seriously, did you take it regularly? How many times a month or year?  Have a bro addicted to opiates so I have my fears.  They destroyed his life.

[SanSaiExPat]

On 7/16/2025 at 3:30 AM, cjinchiangrai said:

Naproxen is amazing but hard on the stomach. Eat something with it.

Common side effects include stomach pain, heartburn, drowsiness, or headache. Serious side effects, though rare, can include gastrointestinal bleeding, heart attack, or stroke, especially with long-term use or in high doses. It’s not recommended for people with certain conditions like heart disease, stomach ulcers, or kidney issues without medical advice.