Medications for Severe Pain
Pain can range from a mild headache to scream-inducing kidney stones. Some powerful pain medications can be purchased over-the-counter; others require a prescription from a doctor. Pain relievers must be treated with respect, as they could be lethal if not taken as directed.
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Acetaminophen
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Acetaminophen (best known under the brand name of Tylenol) is effective in treating mild to moderate pain. For severe pain, it is often combined with codeine and dispensed by prescription.
NSAIDs
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work to relieve pain by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, the enzymes that transmit pain messages to the brain. They also reduce inflammation, which can produce swelling and fever. The most popular NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
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Hydrocodone
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Hydrocodone is a narcotic pain reliever. It is semi-synthetic as it is derived from naturally occurring opiates. Hydrocodone binds to the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce pain. It is commonly combined with another pain reliever, such as acetaminophen. The most common brand names of hydrocodone are Vicodin and Lortab.
Morphine
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Morphine is another narcotic pain reliever from the opiate family. It works by blocking pain receptors in the brain. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Close monitoring must accompany the use of morphine as it can be habit-forming. Hydromorphone is similar to morphine. Extended-release forms can be used round-the-clock for long-term pain relief. The popular pain reliever codeine is derived from morphine.
Oxycodone
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Oxycodone is a strong narcotic pain reliever from the opiate family. It is prescribed for moderate to severe pain and is commonly combined with other pain relievers. Percocet is oxycodone combined with acetaminophen, Percodan is oxycodone combined with aspirin. Sold by the brand name Oxycontin, oxycodone became the top selling narcotic pain medication by 2001, just five years after its release.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Microsoft Office Clips
