There are numerous various kinds of medications used for the treatment of pain, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications- drugs available without a prescription from the doctor and those obtained only by a doctor’s prescription.
OTC Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter pain relieving drugs include:
* Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Aspirin Free Excedrin)
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; aspirin, Motrin, Aleve and Orudis KT)
* Topical Corticosteroids (Cortaid and Cortizone)
Both acetaminophen and NSAIDs decrease fever and alleviate pain resulting from muscle aches and stiffness, however only NSAIDs can decrease inflammation as well (swelling and irritation). Acetaminophen and NSAIDs also work in a very different way. NSAIDs alleviate pain by decreasing the process of prostaglandins production, which are hormone-like substances that lead to severe pain. Acetaminophen operates on the parts of the brain receiving the "pain messages." NSAIDs are also accessible in a prescription strength that are possible to be prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Topical pain relieving medications are also obtainable without a prescription from a doctor. These medicines include creams, lotions, or sprays that must be applied to the skin in order to alleviate pain from sore muscles and arthritis. To the group of topical pain relieving drugs belong: Aspercreme, Ben-Gay, Icy Hot and Capzasin-P. Corticosteroid creams are also obtainable.
Prescription Pain Relievers
Prescription pain relieving drugs include:
* Corticosteroids
* Opioids
* Antidepressants
* Anticonvulsants (antiseizure medications)
What Are Corticosteroids?
Prescription corticosteroids offer relief for inflamed areas of the body by reducing swelling, redness, itching and allergic reactions. Corticosteroids can also be used for the treatment of allergies, asthma and arthritis. When they are used to relieve pain, they are normally given in the form of pills or injections. Examples include: Deltasone, Hydeltrasol and Solu-Medrol.
Prescription corticosteroids are strong medications and due to it they may have bring about serious side effects such as:
* Weight gain
* Upset stomach
* Headache
* Mood swings
* Sleeping problems
* Weakened immune system
To minimize the risk of side effects, corticosteroids are prescribed in the lowest possible doses for the shortest period of time that is necessary to ease the pain. Scientists are doing their best to develop much safer corticosteroids.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids belong to the group of narcotic pain medicines that contain natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic opiates. Opioids are frequently used for sharp pain, such as short-term pain after surgery. Below are several examples of opioids:
* Morphine
* Fentanyl
* Oxycodone
* Codeine
Opioids appear to be very effective for severe pain and do not result in bleeding in the stomach or other parts of the body as can other kinds of pain relieving drugs. The patients very seldom become addicted to opioids if the medications are used to treat pain for a short period of time.
Opioids can lead to several side effects. They include:
* Drowsiness
* Nausea
* Constipation
* Itching
* Breathing problems
* Addiction
Find out more about drug addiction.
What Are Antidepressants?
Antidepressant drugs are medications that treat pain and/or emotional problems by adjusting levels of neurotransmitters (natural chemicals) in the brain. These medicines are able to increase the availability of the body’s signals for well-being and relaxation, which enables people to control pain. It concerns particularly people with chronic pain conditions that do not completely respond to standard types of treatments.
Chronic pain conditions that are treated by low-dose antidepressant medicines include several kinds of headaches (like migraines) and menstrual pain. Several antidepressant drugs include:
* Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Celexa, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft
* Tricyclic antidepressant medications such as Elavil, Norpramin Sinequan, Tofranil, and Pamelor
* Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRIs) such as Effexor and Cymbalta
These medications require a fixed dose of the medicine build up in the body over a period of time to work. The doses that are necessary to treat pain are frequently lower than those necessary for the treatment of depression.
Generally, antidepressant medications bring about fewer long-term side effects than usual, ongoing use of other pain medications. Normally, SSRIs and SSNRIs lead to fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. The most common side effects with antidepressant medicines include:
* Blurry vision
* Constipation
* Difficulty urinating
* Dry mouth
* Tiredness
* Nausea
* Headaches
What Are Anticonvulsants?
Anticonvulsants are medications typically used for the treatment of seizure disorders. Some of these medicines are proven to be effective in treating pain as well. The precise way in which these drugs control pain is not clear right now but it is believed that they minimize the effects of nerves that cause pain. Some examples include Tegretol, Neurontin and Lyrica.
Generally, they are well tolerated. However, some side effects may occur. They include:
* Drowsiness
* Dizziness
* Fatigue
* Nausea
Other Pain Treatments
Another possibility to treat topical pain relief appears in the form of a Lidoderm patch, which is obviously a prescription drug.
If your pain is not alleviated by the standard treatments, your healthcare provider may send you to a pain management specialist. Physicians who specialize in pain management may try other forms of treatment including several kinds of physical therapy or other types of medications. They may also suggest TENS, a procedure that uses patches placed on the skin to send signals that preventing pain.
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is another method of pain control. It allows the patient to control the amount of pain medicine administered. This is frequently used at hospitals to treat chronic pain. When the patient pushes a button on a computerized pump, he is immediately given a pre-measured dose of pain medication. The pump is linked with a small tube that allows medication to be injected intravenously (into a vein), subcutaneously (just under the skin), or into the spinal area.
