Anadin

Anadin is a brand of painkiller sold in the UK and Ireland originally by Wyeth and currently by Pfizer following Pfizer's 2009 acquisition of Wyeth.^[1]

Types

Several different types of painkiller are sold under the brand.^[2] As of April 2009, these include:

• Anadin Original - aspirin and caffeine based
• Anadin paracetamol tablets - launched in 1988
• Anadin ibuprofen tablets - launched in 1997
• Anadin Extra - aspirin, paracetamol and caffeine based (ordinary version launched in 1983 and soluble version in 1992)
• Anadin Joint Pain
• Anadin Liquifast (or Anadin Ultra) - ibuprofen-based liquid capsules (ordinary and "Double strength" versions)^[3]

Criticism

Along with other brands, Anadin's paracetamol tablets have been criticised for being overpriced compared to non-branded versions (e.g. 16 Anadin Paracetamol tablets each containing 500 mg of paracetamol cost around £2.09 while non-branded equivalents retail for around £0.35). Over the past five years Anadin sales have dropped significantly with people favouring purchase of non-branded versions and the Nurofen brand of painkillers which has seen increased sales due to marketing.^[4]

As with many proprietary painkillers, the addition of caffeine to Anadin products may also make them slightly addictive or even induce headaches once people stop taking them.^[5]

Popular culture

Anadin is mentioned in the song "Earthquake (All Stars Remix)" by Labrinth featuring Tinie Tempah, Kano, Wretch 32, and Busta Rhymes

Ahead of the band Sunscreem's second studio album, the group released a variety of tracks under alternative names including a selection of 12-inch singles referred to as the Anna Series. This included the instrumental "Angel Dub," which was credited to Anna Din, and was featured on many compilations such as Renaissance: The Mix Collection by Sasha & John Digweed.

English comedy rock group Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias performed a parodic reworking of The Velvet Underground's songs "Heroin" and "Sweet Jane" entitled "Anadin".

Anadin is mentioned in the song "Harry May" by the Oi! band, The Business.

Anadin is mentioned in the song "New York " by the punk rock band, Sex Pistols. It's one of the songs included in Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols album.

A close up of a 1973 Anadin package appears in season 2, episode 1 of the BBC series Life on Mars.

Vincent Crane, former keyboardist for 60's music groups The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Atomic Rooster, reportedly died of an overdose of Anadin tablets in 1989.

See also

• Anacin (American original brand launched in the UK as Anadin in 1932)^[6]

References