Table 1 Categories of lifetime use of analgesics

1. Phenacetin-free analgesics

All analgesics not containing phenacetin

2. Phenacetin-containing analgesics

Analgesics containing phenacetin

3. Mono analgesics (MONOS); phenacetin-free

One analgesic compound, no non-analgesic active agents (except vitamins)

3.1 Paracetamol (acetaminophen)

3.2 ASA

3.3 Ibuprofen

3.4 Metamizol, Diclofenac, Propyphenazon, Indometacin, Aminophenazon, Phenylbutazon)

4. Combination analgesics (COMBIS); phenacetin-free

Combination of more than one active analgesic agent – or – one or more analgesic active agent with one or more non-analgesic agents

4.1 Paracetamol + caffeine (Paracetamol and caffeine, no other analgesic or non-analgesic agent)

4.2 Paracetamol + ASA (Combination of paracetamol and ASA, no other analgesic or non-analgesic agent, no caffeine, no codeine, no barbiturates

4.3 Paracetamol + ASA + Caffeine (Combination of paracetamol and ASA and caffeine, no other analgesic or non-analgesic agent)

4.4 Other monos + Caffeine (One other analgesic agent – except phenacetin or paracetamol with caffeine, no additional non-analgesic agents

4.5 Other combis without caffeine (Two or more analgesic agents – except combination paracetamol + ASA with or without non-analgesic agents, or one analgesic agent with one or more non-analgesic agents, but no caffeine, no codeine, no barbiturates.

4.6 Other combis + caffeine (ASA or paracetamol and/or other analgesic agents and caffeine, no phenacetin, no codeine, no barbiturates)

4.7 Combis with codeine and/or barbiturates (One or more analgesic agents and codeine and/or barbiturates, independent of other agents, i.e. even with additional caffeine, but no phenacetin.