What Are the Different Types of Pain Pills?
Pain is a feeling we all want to be rid of as soon as we experience it. There are different degrees and ranges of pain, but all pain causes discomfort, and the individual experiencing it will often find it difficult to function without pain control. Pain is a symptom of injury that can be related to muscle, organ, tissue, bone, or nerve.
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Non-Narcotic Analgesic
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Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a first-line medication for many injuries and illnesses. It has a low occurrence of side effects. It is not an anti-inflammatory, but is strictly used to relieve mild pain.
NSAIDs
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first-line drugs for pain. Some of these medications are available over-the-counter and some are prescription. The drugs in this classification relieve pain, reduce inflammation and reduce fever. Some examples of drugs in this class include ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
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Corticosteroids
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Medications in this classification primarily are aimed at reducing inflammation, which in turn relieves pain. Often these medications are delivered in an injection to provide immediate pain relief to the patient. Examples include steroid injections.
Opioids, Analgesics, and Narcotics
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Opioids are also known as narcotics and are available only with a prescription. These medications are called opioids because they bind with opioid receptors in the central nervous system, relieving pain. These medications are potent and good at relieving pain, but there is a risk of addiction. Examples of these drugs are morphine, oxycodone and Darvocet. Analgesics work similarly to opiods and narcotics
Neurological Analgesia
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The drugs in this class are typically used for neurologic or psychiatric problems, but science has found they can be beneficial in the relief of pain. Neuropathic pain is especially receptive to medications in this classification. An example of this is Neurontin.
Anesthetic Nerve Blocks
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In cases of severe pain, especially involving the spine and radiating pain, nerve blocks are used to control pain. Often these are injections of a drug into the spine or into a nerve to anesthetize it and prevent the sensation of pain. Examples of these treatments include epidural injections.
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