Is Akamol the same as Tylenol?

Plain Akamol contains paracetamol, called acetaminophen in the US. Compare the active ingredient, strength and formulation because Akamol Focus and Akamol cold and flu are combination products.

Is Nurofen the same as ibuprofen?

Plain Nurofen contains ibuprofen. Forte, Quick, children's liquids, cold and flu products, patches and gel differ in strength, formulation, added ingredients or route.

What does חומר פעיל mean on Israeli medicine?

חומר פעיל, chomer pa'il, means active ingredient. Use that field with the strength and dosage form to compare products. Registered branded formulas are national, while brand and pack availability can vary by pharmacy.

Can I use Akamol, Nurofen or Optalgin during pregnancy?

Israeli Ministry of Health guidance dated July 1, 2026 calls paracetamol the first choice in pregnancy. The guidance says dipyrone may be used in the first two trimesters and in the third only for a clear need, while NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are prohibited in the third trimester. Follow the exact product leaflet and a clinician's guidance.

Israeli Painkillers Guide: Hebrew Names

Paracetamol Products

White paracetamol caplets, Akamol, in a blister pack

On the label or sign

פראצטמול 500 מ״ג: paracetamol 500 mg
חומר פעיל: active ingredient

אקמול טבע טבליות / קפליותAkamol tablets and caplets

Akamol Teva tabletiyot / kapliyot

US English

acetaminophen 500 mg

UK English

paracetamol 500 mg

What it is

Plain Akamol is a single ingredient pain and fever medicine. Each tablet or caplet contains paracetamol 500 mg.

The difference

Paracetamol is called acetaminophen in the US. Akamol is a brand, so another Israeli brand can contain the same ingredient.

Common mistake

Do not combine Akamol with Dexamol, Panadol, Paramol or another product until the active ingredients have been checked for duplicate paracetamol.

Pink children's syrup with a dosing syringe, Akamoli

On the label or sign

פראצטמול 50 מ״ג/1 מ״ל: paracetamol 50 mg per 1 mL
סירופ: syrup

אקמולי פורטהChildren's paracetamol syrup

Akamoli Forte

US English

children's acetaminophen liquid

UK English

children's paracetamol liquid

What it is

Akamoli Forte is a single ingredient paracetamol syrup. The concentration is 50 mg per 1 mL, also printed as 250 mg per 5 mL, and the bottle comes with an oral syringe.

The difference

Children's liquids can have different concentrations in different products and countries. A familiar product name does not establish the correct volume.

Common mistake

Do not reuse a spoon or mL amount from another bottle without checking the concentration and the leaflet in the exact pack.

On the label or sign

פתילות: suppositories

אקמולי פתילותDiscontinued suppositories

Akamoli ptilot

US English

acetaminophen suppositories

UK English

paracetamol suppositories

What it is

Akamoli suppositories were paracetamol products in 80 mg, 150 mg and 250 mg strengths. All three strengths were recalled in July 2023, and the Ministry later recorded permanent marketing cessation for each registration.

The difference

An old product page can remain online after marketing has stopped. The route and unit strength also differ from tablets and liquids.

Common mistake

Do not treat an old online listing or an old home pack as proof that an Akamoli suppository remains a current product.

Sachets of granules, one torn open, Avcamol

On the label or sign

גרנולות באריזות אישיות: granules in individual sachets
500 מ״ג: adult sachet strength
250 מ״ג: children's sachet strength

אבקמול / אבקמוליParacetamol granules

Avcamol / Avcamoli

US English

acetaminophen granules

UK English

paracetamol granules

What it is

Avcamol and Avcamoli are strawberry vanilla granules in individual sachets. The adult strength contains paracetamol 500 mg per sachet, and the children's product contains 250 mg.

The difference

The sachet is a different dosage form, not a different active ingredient. The 500 mg leaflet says a partial sachet cannot be measured accurately.

Common mistake

Do not take Avcamol on top of another paracetamol product as though the granules were a separate kind of painkiller.

Combination headache caplets and a glass of water

On the label or sign

פוקוס: Focus combination product

אקמול פוקוסCombination headache caplets

Akamol Focus

US English

acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine combination

UK English

paracetamol, aspirin and caffeine combination

What it is

Akamol Focus is a three ingredient headache and migraine product. Each caplet contains aspirin 250 mg, paracetamol 250 mg and caffeine 65 mg.

The difference

Akamol Focus is not plain Akamol. The US product Excedrin Migraine matches the three active ingredients and strengths, while UK Anadin Extra has different strengths.

Common mistake

Do not add plain Akamol, aspirin, ibuprofen or another NSAID without checking all three ingredients in Akamol Focus.

Cold and flu caplets beside a mug of tea

On the label or sign

יום / לילה: day or night
צינון ושפעת: cold and flu

אקמול צינון ושפעת יום / לילהAkamol cold and flu

Akamol Tsinun ve-Shapa'at Yom / Layla

US English

multi-symptom cold and flu remedy

UK English

multi-symptom cold and flu remedy

What it is

The day caplet contains paracetamol 500 mg, pseudoephedrine 30 mg and dextromethorphan 15 mg. The night caplet also contains chlorpheniramine 2 mg.

The difference

The cold and flu name adds ingredients to the parent brand. Both day and night caplets already contain paracetamol 500 mg.

Common mistake

Do not count Akamol cold and flu only as cold medicine and then add plain Akamol without checking for duplicate paracetamol.

On the label or sign

מרשם רופא בלבד: prescription only
325 מ״ג פראצטמול: paracetamol 325 mg
15 מ״ג קודאין פוספט: codeine phosphate 15 mg

קוד־אקמול 15/325Prescription codeine combo

Kod-Akamol

US English

prescription acetaminophen and codeine

UK English

prescription co-codamol

What it is

Code Acamol is a prescription opioid combination. Each tablet contains paracetamol 325 mg and codeine phosphate 15 mg.

The difference

Code Acamol is not another plain over the counter Akamol pack. Comparison products in the US and UK can have different paracetamol strengths.

Common mistake

Do not overlook the codeine or the paracetamol contribution because the pack belongs to the Acamol brand family.

Ibuprofen Products

Orange-coated ibuprofen tablets, Nurofen

On the label or sign

איבופרופן 200 מ״ג: ibuprofen 200 mg
קפסולות נוזל: liquid capsules

נורופן טבליות / קפסולות נוזל 200 מ״גPlain Nurofen

Nurofen tabletiyot / kapsulot nozel

US English

ibuprofen 200 mg

UK English

ibuprofen 200 mg

What it is

Plain Nurofen contains ibuprofen 200 mg per tablet or liquid capsule. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that reduces inflammation, pain and fever.

The difference

Nurofen is not a stronger version of Akamol. Nurofen contains a different active ingredient with a different contraindication and interaction profile.

Common mistake

Do not take plain Nurofen with Advil, Adex, Ibufen, naproxen, aspirin or another NSAID because the brand name differs.

Clear liquid ibuprofen capsules, Nurofen Forte

On the label or sign

פורטה: Forte
איבופרופן 400 מ״ג: ibuprofen 400 mg

נורופן פורטה קפסולות נוזל 400 מ״גNurofen Forte

Nurofen Forte kapsulot nozel

US English

ibuprofen 400 mg liquid capsule

UK English

ibuprofen 400 mg liquid capsule

What it is

One Nurofen Forte liquid capsule contains ibuprofen 400 mg. The capsule contains twice the active ingredient in one plain 200 mg Nurofen unit.

The difference

Forte identifies a higher strength, not a different active ingredient. The dosage form is a soft liquid capsule.

Common mistake

Do not treat one Forte capsule as one plain 200 mg unit or combine Forte with another ibuprofen product.

On the label or sign

קוויק: Quick

נורופן קוויק 256 / 512 מ״גNurofen Quick

Nurofen Quick

US English

fast-dissolving ibuprofen

UK English

fast-dissolving ibuprofen

What it is

Nurofen Quick uses sodium ibuprofen. Sodium ibuprofen 256 mg is equivalent to ibuprofen 200 mg, and 512 mg is equivalent to ibuprofen 400 mg.

The difference

The large front number is the sodium ibuprofen amount. The equivalence line gives the ibuprofen amount for comparison.

Common mistake

Do not assume 512 mg Quick contains more ibuprofen than a 400 mg ibuprofen product or combine Quick with another ibuprofen brand.

Orange children's ibuprofen suspension with a syringe

On the label or sign

100 מ״ג/5 מ״ל: standard concentration, 100 mg per 5 mL
200 מ״ג/5 מ״ל: Forte concentration, 200 mg per 5 mL

נורופן לילדים / נורופן לילדים פורטהChildren's ibuprofen liquid

Nurofen la-yeladim / Nurofen la-yeladim Forte

US English

children's ibuprofen suspension

UK English

children's ibuprofen suspension

What it is

Standard children's Nurofen contains ibuprofen 100 mg per 5 mL, or 20 mg per mL. Children's Nurofen Forte contains 200 mg per 5 mL, or 40 mg per mL.

The difference

The Forte suspension has twice as much ibuprofen per mL as the standard suspension. The leaflet says weight is preferable to age for selecting the labelled dose.

Common mistake

Do not give the same mL amount after moving between standard and Forte suspension or copy a volume from a foreign bottle without comparing concentration.

On the label or sign

ללעיסה: for chewing
פתילות: suppositories

נורופן לילדים קפסולות ללעיסה / פתילותChildren's ibuprofen forms

Nurofen la-yeladim kapsulot le-le'isa / ptilot

US English

children's ibuprofen chewables or suppositories

UK English

children's ibuprofen chewables or suppositories

What it is

The chewable orange capsule contains ibuprofen 100 mg. The suppositories come in 60 mg and 125 mg unit strengths.

The difference

Children's Nurofen does not always mean a liquid. The route and mg per unit must match the exact product.

Common mistake

Do not treat the chewable, 60 mg suppository and 125 mg suppository as interchangeable children's Nurofen products.

On the label or sign

צינון ושפעת: cold and flu

נורופן צינון ושפעתNurofen cold and flu

Nurofen Tsinun ve-Shapa'at

US English

ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine cold remedy

UK English

ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine cold remedy

What it is

Each Nurofen cold and flu tablet contains ibuprofen 200 mg and pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg.

The difference

The cold and flu product contains both a painkiller and a decongestant. A similar English product name does not guarantee the same formula.

Common mistake

Do not count Nurofen cold and flu only as a decongestant and then add Nurofen, Advil or another ibuprofen product.

On the label or sign

פלסטר רפואי: medicated patch
ג׳ל 5%: 5% gel

נורופן פלסטר רפואי / נורופן ג׳ל 5%Topical Nurofen

Nurofen plaster refu'i / Nurofen gel

US English

topical ibuprofen patch or gel

UK English

topical ibuprofen patch or gel

What it is

The medicated patch is a local topical ibuprofen product for short term pain after a minor sprain or strain. Nurofen Gel is topical ibuprofen 5%.

The difference

The patch and gel belong to the wider Nurofen family but are not plain oral Nurofen. The dosage form changes the route.

Common mistake

Do not read every Nurofen branded product as one oral dose of ibuprofen.

Combination Product

On the label or sign

פראצטמול 500 מ״ג: paracetamol 500 mg
איבופרופן 150 מ״ג: ibuprofen 150 mg

קומבודקסParacetamol and ibuprofen

Combodex

US English

acetaminophen and ibuprofen combination

UK English

paracetamol and ibuprofen combination

What it is

Each Combodex caplet contains paracetamol 500 mg and ibuprofen 150 mg.

The difference

Combodex is adjacent to both Akamol and Nurofen on the shelf but is not an equivalent of either single ingredient product. Combodex already contains both active ingredients.

Common mistake

Do not add Akamol because Combodex looks like ibuprofen or add Nurofen because Combodex looks like paracetamol.

Dipyrone Products

Cream-white dipyrone caplets in a blister pack, Optalgin

On the label or sign

דיפירון 500 מ״ג: dipyrone 500 mg
ללא מרשם: without prescription

אופטלגין טבליות / קפליות 500 מ״גOptalgin tablets and caplets

Optalgin tabletiyot / kapliyot

US English

dipyrone / metamizole, no retail equivalent

UK English

dipyrone / metamizole, no retail equivalent

What it is

Optalgin tablets and caplets contain dipyrone 500 mg, also called metamizole. The approved use is moderate to severe pain and high fever that has not responded to other measures.

The difference

Dipyrone was withdrawn in the US and is not licensed in the UK, so Optalgin has no ordinary US or UK retail counterpart. Israel strengthened the agranulocytosis warning in 2025. The current leaflet says to stop and obtain immediate medical assessment for high fever, chills, sore throat, swallowing difficulty or painful mucosal sores.

Common mistake

Do not translate Optalgin as Tylenol, Advil or aspirin or invent an equal milligram substitution.

A small dropper bottle of dipyrone drops beside a glass of water

On the label or sign

טיפות: drops
דיפירון 500 מ״ג/1 מ״ל: dipyrone 500 mg per 1 mL

אופטלגין טיפות / דיפירז / וי-דלגין / דולרגיןDipyrone drops

Optalgin tipot / Dipyraz / V-Dalgin / Dolergin

US English

dipyrone / metamizole, no retail equivalent

UK English

dipyrone / metamizole, no retail equivalent

What it is

Optalgin drops contain dipyrone 500 mg per mL. Dipyraz and V-Dalgin are also documented as dipyrone 500 mg per mL, and current shelf listings show Dolergin drops in the same ingredient family.

The difference

Optalgin changed from 25 drops per mL to 20 drops per mL in 2020 while keeping 500 mg per mL. Another brand can use different excipients or a different measuring device.

Common mistake

Do not convert by drops from an old bottle, another brand or an internet post because the current bottle and leaflet control.

You know	Look for in Israel	Keep in mind
acetaminophen	פראצטמולparatsetamol	The US name for the ingredient in plain Akamol.
paracetamol	פראצטמולparatsetamol	The UK name and the ingredient wording used in Israel.
ibuprofen	איבופרופןibuprofen	The ingredient in plain Nurofen.
dipyrone or metamizole	דיפירון / מטמיזולdipiron / metamizol	The ingredient in Optalgin, with no ordinary US or UK shelf equivalent.
children's acetaminophen liquid	אקמולי פורטהAkamoli Forte	Check 50 mg per 1 mL and use the exact pack leaflet.
children's ibuprofen liquid	נורופן לילדיםNurofen la-yeladim	Standard is 100 mg per 5 mL. Forte is twice the concentration.
fast-dissolving ibuprofen	נורופן קוויקNurofen Quick	Compare the ibuprofen equivalence line, not only the sodium salt number.
cold remedy with paracetamol	אקמול צינון ושפעתAkamol Tsinun ve-Shapa'at	Day and night caplets already contain paracetamol 500 mg.
cold remedy with ibuprofen	נורופן צינון ושפעתNurofen Tsinun ve-Shapa'at	Contains ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine.
acetaminophen and ibuprofen combination	קומבודקסCombodex	Already contains both paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Paracetamol Products

אקמול טבע טבליות / קפליותAkamol tablets and caplets

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אקמולי פורטהChildren's paracetamol syrup

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אקמולי פתילותDiscontinued suppositories

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אבקמול / אבקמוליParacetamol granules

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אקמול פוקוסCombination headache caplets

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אקמול צינון ושפעת יום / לילהAkamol cold and flu

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קוד־אקמול 15/325Prescription codeine combo

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Ibuprofen Products

נורופן טבליות / קפסולות נוזל 200 מ״גPlain Nurofen

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נורופן פורטה קפסולות נוזל 400 מ״גNurofen Forte

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נורופן קוויק 256 / 512 מ״גNurofen Quick

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נורופן לילדים / נורופן לילדים פורטהChildren's ibuprofen liquid

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נורופן לילדים קפסולות ללעיסה / פתילותChildren's ibuprofen forms

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נורופן צינון ושפעתNurofen cold and flu

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

נורופן פלסטר רפואי / נורופן ג׳ל 5%Topical Nurofen

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Combination Product

קומבודקסParacetamol and ibuprofen

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Dipyrone Products

אופטלגין טבליות / קפליות 500 מ״גOptalgin tablets and caplets

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אופטלגין טיפות / דיפירז / וי-דלגין / דולרגיןDipyrone drops

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Your Familiar Name Is on the Left. the Hebrew Ingredient or Product Wording Is on the Right.

Knowing the word is half of it. Say it out loud.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Israeli Healthcare Guide