Drugs for Pain Relief

There are many pain treatment options available, ranging from holistic therapies to prescription drugs. Pain medications are the most commonly used form of pain relief treatment. Drugs used to treat pain are called analgesics. Determining the best analgesic to treat your pain will include analyzing the cause, frequency and duration. Not all pain symptoms require prescription pain medication.

Over-the-Counter Drugs

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for pain are easily accessible and do not require a prescription. OTC analgesics are effective in mild to moderate pain and include: acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and aspirin.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available over the counter in the form of naproxen, ibuprofen and aspirin. Stronger NSAIDs for pain relief, such as ketorolac (Toradol) and indomethacin (Indocin), require a prescription from your doctor.

Narcotics

Available only by prescription, narcotics are analgesics used for severe pain. Familiar narcotics include oxycodone (OxyContin), morphine (MS Contin), fentanyl (Duragesic) and methadone (Methadose).

Other Prescription Drugs

Lortab, Vicodin and Percocet are pain relief drugs which contain acetaminophen, in combination with another drug, to control moderate to severe pain. Pentazocin (Talwin) and propoxyphene (Darvocet) are prescribed in limited cases as they have been found to be less effective in managing pain.

Warning

All drugs for pain relief can cause harm if not taken as indicated. Never take more than what is indicated on the box or by the physician.

Considerations

Prescription drugs, especially narcotics, can be physically and psychologically addictive. Should you have a history of addiction to any substance, you should discuss alternative pain treatments with your physician.

References

• Pain Medications
• Pain Relievers