Medication for Chronic Pain
Many different drugs are used to treat chronic pain. Some of these medications you can buy OTC (over the counter) and some are obtained by prescription only. Many of these medications relieve the pain quickly, usually within an hour. Others might take weeks to build up to a therapeutic level before providing pain relief.
-
Acetaminophen
-
The stronger medications for chronic pain do cause side effects, and for that reason your doctor might recommend you start with something like acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is an OTC pain reliever (analgesic). It is very safe when taken as directed, and side effects are rare and minimal as compared with most prescription medications. You may know this medication from its brand name, Tylenol. It is a quick-acting medication given orally.
Ibuprofen
-
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug that helps relieve pain and reduce swelling. It is available as an OTC analgesic in lower doses, and sold by prescription in a higher dosage. Sometimes doctors prescribe this medication along with other pain medications that do not have anti-inflammatory properties. This oral medication works within an hour of taking it.
-
Capsaicin
-
A natural occurring substance that is found in chili peppers, capsaicin is used to make certain topical analgesic creams. Capsaicin interferes with the pain signals in the skin, blocking pain without blocking other sensations. It gives the sensation of deep heat to the area experiencing pain. Capsaicin is an OTC medication. It is most effective on low to moderate pain.
Antidepressants
-
Certain antidepressants may be used to treat chronic pain. Amitriptyline is a prescription oral medication, and although it is FDA approved for use as an antidepressant only, doctors also prescribe this drug for its pain relieving qualities. Amitriptyline can be effective in treating low to moderate chronic pain for specific conditions. This medication may take some time to build up to a therapeutic level, with the full effects not appreciated for up to six weeks. It is used for treating certain chronic pain such as lower back pain and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and it has shown some promise with headaches. You should decrease the dosage slowly when stopping this medication to avoid withdrawal symptoms of nausea, headache, and restlessness.
Corticosteroids
-
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are prescribed anti-inflammatory medications used to reduce inflammation and pain. They can be taken orally or, in some cases, injected into the area that is causing pain. Corticosteroids are usually used for short periods of time for pain relief due to their vast side effects. In chronic pain conditions, they may be used for just acute flare-ups.
Opioids
-
Opioid analgesics are used to treat moderate to severe pain. Examples of opioids include morphine, oxycodone (such as OxyContin), hydrocodone with acetaminophen (such as Vicodin), or acetaminophen with codeine (such as Tylenol with codeine). These drugs are sometimes taken in combination with one of the other pain medications. These drugs have a high incidence of abuse and addiction.
-
