Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Compound analgesic
Introduction
A compound analgesic is an analgesic with more than one active ingredient. This includes many of the stronger prescription analgesics.
Common active ingredients used in compound analgesics include:
- aspirin
- paracetamol (acetaminophen)
- codeine or oxycodone
- phenacetin
Once readily available over the counter and in supermarkets, compound analgesics became associated with substance abuse and are now more restricted in many countries. As a result, some once famous brands such as APC and Bex have either disappeared, or have become brands of simple analgesics.
External links
- APC definition and brief history.
- Bex packaging history at the Powerhouse Museum.