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LEARN ABOUT NUROFEN'S ADVANTAGES AND HISTORY

LEARN ABOUT NUROFEN'S ADVANTAGES AND HISTORY

Why Nurofen?

  • Nurofen’s success is the result of over 30 years of research and development. We are experienced in pain relief, and we are here to help.

  • Unlike Paracetamol, Nurofen contains Ibuprofen which also has anti-inflammatory properties

  • Nurofen (200mg) can be taken with water
No.1 branded pain relief
No.1 branded pain relief
Nurofen

The story of ibuprofen starts in 1953, with a team led by a talented young pharmacist named Dr Stewart Adams. It is a story of perseverance, a passion for science, and above all, a desire to improve people’s lives.
Nurofen

The Nurofen Story

  • Isolating the anti-inflammatory action of aspirin, then trying to improve it
    1950s

    Dr Adams started his research by looking at aspirin, and in particular its anti-inflammatory mode of action. He tested more than 200 salicylate compounds, similar to aspirin, but was unable to deliver a significant improvement. However, he did identify the carboxylic part of the molecule as important for the anti-inflammatory effect.1

  • Refining the properties of the ideal pain relief drug
    1960s
    Nurofen Cold & Flu licensed, the first ibuprofen-based remedy targeting cold and flu. A handful of candidate molecules worthy of a closer look were tested in a series of humantrials following the patent in 1962. Four were failures, but the fifth,‘2-(4-isobutylphenyl) propanoicacid’ showed exactly what they were looking for –and we now know it simply as ‘ibuprofen’.1
  • Study shows reduction in fever in children
    1976
    A study comparing how well antipyretics reduced fever in children found that ibuprofen had comparable antipyretic efficacy to aspirin, paracetamol, aminophenazone andindomethacin.2
  • Evidence in period pain
    1978
    A study evaluating the efficacy of ibuprofen in period pain found it was highly effective in relieving pain in women who experience cramps.7
  • Approved for patients with mild or moderate pain
    1981
    Following the success of a number of human trials for the treatment of a range of different types of pain, mild to moderate pain is added as an indication for ibuprofen in the UK3
  • A mission of science and perseverance on a global scale
    1970s -1980s
    Reports from the late 70s and early 80s showed the complexity of bringing ibuprofen to market as OTC Nurofen. It required a co-ordinated global effort and data from many clinical trials around the world, proving the safety and efficacy of ibuprofen in over 19,000 patients. Dr Adams remained instrumental throughout.4
  • A new era in self-care
    1983
    Throughout the 70s, large-scale studies proved the efficacy and safety of ibuprofen to treat a range of everyday types of pain, and the Department of Health decided to grant an over-the-counter license. Ibuprofen launched in pharmacy as Nurofen, and was hailed in consumer care as a “breakthrough in pain relief”.4, 5, 6
  • Dr Adams is awarded an OBE by the Queen
    1987
    In recognition of the invention of ibuprofen, Dr Adams is awarded an OBE by the Queen; a royal order of chivalry to recognise his contribution to science and pain relief making him an officer of the ‘Order of the British Empire’.
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References

  1. Halford G et al. Platelets 2011; 23(6): 415–422.
  2. Similä S et al. Scand J Rheumatol 1976; 5(2): 81–83.
  3. Connelly D. A Brief History of Ibuprofen. Pharm J 2017: 299; 28-29.
  4. Rainsford KD. Ibuprofen: A Critical Bibliographic Review. 1999. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis, London
  5. Reckitt Benckiser Archival Assets 2019: 3.1.3 [‘Pharmacy education brochure, Nurofen UK launch, 1983’]
  6. Reckitt Benckiser Archival Assets 2019: 2.2.1. [Dr M Busson speaking at Nurofen launch, 1983]
  7. Pulkkinnen M et al. Prostaglandins 1978; 15(6):1055–1062.