Brandwave

Maxigesic vs Panadol:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Panadol had more branded searches than Maxigesic among pain relief brands in New Zealand. Panadol had about 6,260 branded searches, while Maxigesic had 2,330. Panadol made up 34.5% of all pain relief brand searches we track, and Maxigesic accounted for 12.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pain relief brands, Panadol appeared in four of the five answers and Maxigesic in two. Panadol was mentioned before Maxigesic in four out of five answers.

Among pain relief brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Panadol, about 3 searches for every 1 for Maxigesic

Panadol 6.3K searchesMaxigesic 2.3K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Panadol, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Maxigesic in 2

Panadol in 4 of 5Maxigesic in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Panadol, named ahead of Maxigesic in 4 of 5 answers

Panadol first in 4Maxigesic first in 1

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Top pain relief brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Panadol was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Maxigesic was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Panadol was listed before Maxigesic in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Panadol1st
  2. Nurofen2nd
  3. Maxigesic3rd
  4. Voltaren4th
  5. Deep Heat5th
  6. Disprin6th
  7. Naprogesic7th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Panadol4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Nurofen4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Voltaren3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Maxigesic2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Deep Heat1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Naprogesic1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Disprin1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about pain relief brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Maxigesic or Panadol more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Maxigesic and Panadol by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven pain relief brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Maxigesic and Panadol among pain relief brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Panadol, Maxigesic. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPanadolNurofenDeep HeatMaxigesicNaprogesicDisprinVoltaren
Oct 202534.9%27%12.8%13.4%6.9%4.4%0.61%
Nov 202535%26.8%13.4%13%6.8%4.1%0.85%
Dec 202538.6%25.7%12.5%12.2%6.4%4%0.63%
Jan 202635.3%28.5%13.4%11.2%7%3.9%0.63%
Feb 202636.8%25.3%14%11.8%7.2%4.3%0.59%
Mar 202634.2%28.8%12.7%13.2%6.7%3.8%0.54%
Apr 202632.6%26.2%12.5%18.5%6.3%3.2%0.66%
May 202633.8%25.4%15.1%15.1%6.2%3.8%0.69%
Jun 202633.2%28.8%15.1%13.1%6.2%3.1%0.5%
Jul 202632.2%28.5%14.7%14.3%6%3.7%0.61%
Aug 202637.1%27.1%13.6%13.7%4.7%3.2%0.56%
Sep 202634.5%26.5%16%12.8%6.1%3.9%0.39%

How has the Maxigesic and Panadol comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Panadol was ahead of Maxigesic in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Maxigesic’s share of searches among pain relief brands in New Zealand moved from 13.4% to 12.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2K to 2.3K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Panadol’s share of searches among pain relief brands in New Zealand moved from 34.9% to 34.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.2K to 6.3K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand pain relief brands in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, Deep Heat overtook Maxigesic to rank 3rd among pain relief brands in New Zealand, with 16% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Panadol lost share of searches among pain relief brands in New Zealand, from 37.1% to 34.5%.

  3. In September 2026, Maxigesic lost share of searches among pain relief brands in New Zealand, from 13.7% to 12.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

20 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Maxigesic’s and Panadol’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Maxigesic

8 branded search terms

  • maxigesic
  • maxigesic countdown
  • maxigesic dosage
  • maxigesic pain relief
  • maxigesic pe
  • maxigesic tablets
  • maxigesic tablets uses
  • maxigesic triple action

Panadol

12 branded search terms

  • codeine panadol
  • infant panadol
  • panadol
  • panadol extra
  • panadol headache
  • panadol optizorb
  • panadol pain relief
  • panadol paracetamol
  • panadol pregnancy
  • panadol rapid
  • panadol tablets
  • panadol v paracetamol

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among pain relief brands

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