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Prescription Pain MedicationsInformation, Articles, Resources
Pain medications, also known as analgesics, are a type of drugs used to relieve pain. They either stop pain signals from going to the brain or alter the brain’s interpretation of those signals. Analgesics prevent the brain from processing pain signals, yet do not rely on anesthesia or loss of consciousness to achieve their pain-killing effect. Pain medications are used to treat pain related to many conditions, including the following:
Pain medications are a quick and effective way of coping with mild to severe pain. While these drugs do not treat the cause of the pain, they can provide enough relief to make people more comfortable and to allow them to carry out their daily routines. Most analgesics take from 30 to 60 minutes to start working if taken in tablet form. Intravenous or injected pain relievers are often much quicker to take effect. Pain medications provide only temporary pain relief because they do not affect the cause of the pain. There are two primary types of pain medications:
Non-narcotic analgesics are milder forms of the painkillers that include acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is used to treat mild-to-moderate pain and reduce fever. Acetaminophen provides relief from pain by elevating the amount of pain you can tolerate before you experience the feeling of pain. The best known brand of acetaminophen is Tylenol, but there are also many generic versions available. Nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications used to reduce pain and inflammation. These drugs are often the first choice for treating the pain and inflammation associated with conditions ranging from headaches to osteoarthritis. Some NSAIDs are available by prescription only, while others (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen) can be purchased over the counter. NSAIDs are used to relieve pain related to the following conditions:
NSAIDs are usually not appropriate for people with stomach problems because they may have a higher risk for stomach bleeding. All NSAIDs except aspirin increase the risk of serious adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke. Common side effects of NSAIDs include: upset stomach, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, heartburn, unusual bleeding, drowsiness, dizziness, skin rashes. More severe side effects of NSAIDs include: allergic reactions, high blood pressure, stomach bleeding, stomach ulcers (with long-term use), kidney or liver problems. COX-2 (Cyclo-oxygenase-2) inhibitors are unique type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs designed to relieve pain as effectively as other NSAIDs but without upsetting the stomach. Conditions treated with COX-2 inhibitors include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and some types of acute pain. COX-2 inhibitors differ from traditional NSAIDs by targeting only the pain-signaling prostaglandins. They do not affect cyclo-oxygenase 1 (COX-1), a chemical associated with protecting the stomach lining. Thus, COX-2 inhibitors relieve pain without causing stomach problems often associated with other NSAIDs. Some COX-2 inhibitors (Vioxx and Bextra) have been withdrawn from the market by their manufacturers after being linked to an increased risk of serious side effects including heart attack, stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding. As a result, celecoxib (Celebrex) is the only remaining COX-2 inhibitor available in the United States. Tramadol HCl, marketed as Ultram in the USA, was introduced as a non-scheduled drug in April 1995 based on the assumption that the risk of abuse was sufficiently low to warrant a non-scheduled status. Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic indicated for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. It has properties similar to both opioids and antidepressants. Tramadol reduces pain by interfering with pain signals to the brain (like an opioid) and by affecting neurotransmitters (like an antidepressant). Common adverse reactions of tramadol are nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Respiratory depression and constipation are less common with tramadol and less pronounced than with other opioids. Unlike opioids, tramadol is not usually associated with the development of tolerance, physical dependence or psychological addiction. Tramadol has a low risk of abuse because it has only a weak opioid effect and its monoaminergic action could inhibit the development of dependence. The low abuse potential of tramadol has been demonstrated by postmarketing surveillance data. Opioids (also called narcotics) are powerful medications often used to manage pain. These drugs include natural opiates (derived from the opium poppy plant) and synthetic narcotics. Narcotic pain medications are the most effective analgesics available today. Opioids act by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. When these compounds attach to certain opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, they can effectively change the way a person experiences pain. The advantage of prescription narcotics is there is no maximum dose. In high doses, however, they can affect breathing. Although opioids are effective in providing pain relief, many physicians fail to prescribe them because they fear their patients may become addicted to the substances. However, research has shown that patients who properly use opioids under close supervision of a physician are extremely unlikely to become addicted to them. Narcotic pain medications are usually prescribed to manage pain related conditions and procedures such as:
Opioids are also used to block pain during numerous medical and dental procedures and may be used just before or during an operation to help anesthesia work more effectively. Some of the more common side effects include: drowsiness, constipation, itching, dizziness, lightheadedness, unclear thinking, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, sedation, reduced sex drive, accelerated heart rate, depression of respiration and cough reflex, gastrointestinal disorders, decreased motor response rate, urinary retention. If taken in high doses, opioids can cause severe respiratory distress. Other classes of drugs that can be used to relieve pain include anticonvulsants, antidepressants and psychostimulants, marijuana-like cannabinoids, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to decrease damage to joints, and nerve blocks and other anesthetics. Many antidepressant drugs can relieve chronic pain in addition to relieving depression. These drugs also may improve sleep quality, which may in turn help reduce pain. In some cases, antidepressants work by treating accompanying depression that makes chronic pain more difficult to handle.
Analgesics will not:
The type, number of and intensity of negative effects will depend upon:
Medications
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