THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY OF ANALGESICS (Rev'd 8/24/00)
Analgesics
Chemical substances that relieve pain are called analgesics. The most common analgesic is aspirin, which is a component in more than 100 nonprescription drugs. In addition to aspirin, most common components of analgesic drugs are, presently: acetamoniphen, ibuprofen, and caffeine. Caffeine is not an analgesic, but is often added to pain relievers to counteract the usual sedative effects of the analgesics. Besides these substances, tablets contain a binder, most often: starch, microcrystalline cellulose, or silica gel. When aspirin is one of the components, an inorganic buffering agent is often added to counteract the acidic properties of aspirin and make it less upsetting to the stomach.