[Effectiveness of fixed analgesic combinations exemplified by thomapyrin].

Thomapyrin has been on the German market as analgesic for the past 50 years. It is the prescription-free preparation with the highest sales there. This is an occasion to survey current state of scientific knowledge concerning combination analgesics with acetyl salicylic acid, paracetamol and caffeine. For the assessment and registration of fixed preparations authorities of different European countries and also USA have defined special criteria. Analgesic preparations must agree with these defined criteria. The importance of these combination analgesics in pain therapy is described with the respect to the latest scientific results. Combination analgesics represent an important area of self-medication by the patient. The properties of the active substances alone and in combination are set forth, with respect to pharmacokinetics and efficacy. The experimental and especially clinical results clearly show a broader spectrum of action in consequence of the different modes of action of the individual active substances. Analgesic action is 1.4 fold higher owing to added caffeine. The fixed combination of active substances does not change the profile of side effects. The conclusion is that combination analgesics such as Thomapyrine show a positive benefit/risk ratio. Furthermore such combination analgesics are appropriate for self-medications and suited to combat pain of different kinds.