Mypaid combines ibuprofen 200 mg with paracetamol 250 mg. It relieves moderate pain — headache, backache, period pain, dental and muscular pain — by pairing two painkillers that work differently. It contains no codeine, which is a genuine advantage over similar combinations.
What is Mypaid?
Mypaid contains two active ingredients:
- Ibuprofen 200 mg — an anti-inflammatory
- Paracetamol 250 mg — a simple painkiller
They work through different mechanisms, which is the whole rationale. Ibuprofen blocks cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, reducing the prostaglandins that drive inflammation, swelling and pain. Paracetamol acts mainly within the central nervous system, reducing how pain is perceived, with little effect on inflammation.
Combining two mechanisms genuinely relieves pain better than either alone at the same amounts. That is well established, and it is why fixed-dose paracetamol-plus-ibuprofen products exist.
What Mypaid does not contain is codeine — and that matters. Many South African compound painkillers, such as Mybulen, Gen-Payne and Myprodol, add codeine to the same pairing. Codeine adds pain relief, and it adds dependence, drowsiness, constipation and the risk of medication overuse headache.
For most moderate pain, the codeine-free combination is the better starting point. If two painkillers are enough, there is no reason to take an opioid as well.
What is Mypaid commonly used for?
- Tension headache.
- Backache and muscular pain.
- Period pain, where the ibuprofen component is particularly effective.
- Dental pain, including after extraction — the paracetamol-plus-ibuprofen combination is well supported here.
- Sprains, strains and sports injuries.
- Post-operative pain, short-term.
- Cold and flu aches, and fever.
- Mild arthritis pain.
Dental pain is where this combination performs best. Trials after dental surgery consistently show paracetamol plus ibuprofen giving better relief than either alone, and comparable to or better than some opioid combinations — with fewer side effects. If you are recovering from an extraction, this is a well-evidenced option.
Period pain likewise: menstrual cramping is prostaglandin-driven, so the anti-inflammatory addresses the mechanism. Taking it as symptoms begin rather than once pain is established works noticeably better.
How Mypaid fits into this medicine category
| Type | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Plain paracetamol | Donapan, Zypol | Try first for mild pain |
| Plain anti-inflammatory | Ibuprofen, Aleve | Better for inflammatory pain |
| Paracetamol + ibuprofen | Mypaid | Two mechanisms, no opioid |
| With codeine added | Mybulen, Gen-Payne, Cogesic | Stronger; dependence risk |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Inflammatory conditions, as courses |
Working up that list means adding an opioid only when a simpler option has genuinely failed. See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Mypaid
Do not take any other paracetamol product — including cold and flu remedies, sinus tablets and other combination painkillers — and do not take another anti-inflammatory. Mypaid contains both, and duplicating either is the main way this product causes harm.
Take it with food because of the ibuprofen.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:
- You have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding, reflux or gastritis.
- You have kidney disease, or become dehydrated easily.
- You have heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or have had a stroke.
- You have asthma. A minority of people with asthma react badly to NSAIDs.
- You have liver disease, or drink alcohol heavily — the paracetamol matters here.
- You take blood thinners, low-dose aspirin, a corticosteroid, an SSRI antidepressant, a diuretic, an ACE inhibitor, lithium or methotrexate.
- You are pregnant. NSAIDs are generally avoided, particularly in the third trimester.
- You are over 65, where stomach and kidney risks are higher.
- You weigh under 50 kg, or are eating very little.
Follow the pack instructions and note the maximum in 24 hours.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Paracetamol overdose is a medical emergency with no early warning. Someone who has taken too much may feel entirely well for a day or more while liver damage develops. Go to an emergency department immediately with the packaging, even if they seem fine. With combination products this usually happens by accident, through doubling up.
Stomach. NSAIDs are the leading medicine-related cause of stomach bleeding, and ulceration can occur without warning pain. Risk rises with duration, age, alcohol, and combination with steroids, blood thinners or SSRIs.
Kidneys. During a stomach bug with vomiting or diarrhoea, or in extreme heat, use plain paracetamol instead unless told otherwise — dehydration plus an NSAID is hard on the kidneys.
Do not use it for more than a few days for a new pain without advice.
Watch the headache trap. Taking any painkiller for headache on most days can produce medication overuse headache — less likely without codeine, but still possible.
Seek medical attention for stomach pain, vomiting blood or material resembling coffee grounds, black tarry stools, wheezing or breathlessness, chest pain, one-sided weakness or slurred speech, marked swelling of the face or legs, significantly reduced urine, or a blistering or peeling rash.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Mypaid used for? Moderate pain — headache, backache, period pain, dental and muscular pain — and fever. It contains ibuprofen and paracetamol.
Does it contain codeine? No, and that is an advantage. It avoids the drowsiness, constipation and dependence risk that codeine-containing combinations carry.
How is it different from Mybulen or Gen-Payne? Those add codeine to the same pairing. Mypaid is the codeine-free version, which is usually the better starting point.
Can I take paracetamol with it? No. It already contains paracetamol. Check cold and flu remedies too, since most contain it.
Is it good for dental pain? Yes — paracetamol plus ibuprofen is particularly well supported after dental procedures, often matching opioid combinations with fewer side effects.
Why must I take it with food? Because of the ibuprofen, to reduce stomach irritation. That helps discomfort but does not remove the ulcer risk with longer use.