What Analgesic Drugs Control Pain?
Analgesics are also called pain medicines and pain relievers. They are drugs that control pain. There are many different types of analgesics, each with advantages and some risks. Analgesics can be over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, or medicines prescribed by your doctor.
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Definition
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Analgesics are medicines that relieve or reduce any number of aches and pains, such as headaches, arthritis and sore muscles. The word, analgesic, means 'without pain.'
OTC Analgesics
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Over-the-counter analgesics are either nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophens. NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naxopren (Aleve); acetaminophens, recommended for those that cannot take aspirin, include the name-brand drug, Tylenol.
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Prescription Analgesics
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Some types of pain may require a prescription painkiller such as a COX-2 inhibitor. This type of painkiller blocks an inflammation-promoting substance known as COX-2.
Narcotic Analgesics
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Narcotic analgesics are prescription drugs used to treat serious pain. They are very strong and potentially habit-forming; these include codeine and morphine.
Side Effects
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Acetaminophen may be harmful to the liver if more than the recommended dosage is used. Acetaminophen overdose is known world-wide as one of the most common types of poisoning; large doses can be deadly.
Warning
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Aspirin should not be given to children because of Reye's syndrome, which is sudden brain damage and liver function problems of an unknown cause. Reye's syndrome has occurred when aspirin was used to treat chicken pox or the flu.
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