Pain is the body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. It is more than just discomfort. It is an indication of your overall health status. Untreated pain can lead to mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Two words that are commonly used to describe pain are acute and chronic. Acute pain occurs over a short period, usually days or weeks. Chronic pain is longer-lasting and continues for more than 3-6 months.

There are two main types of pain – nociceptive and neuropathic. Nociceptive pain is a protective mechanism. This is the pain that makes you pull your hand away from a hot stove to prevent burns or rest a sprained ankle to allow an injury to heal. There is no injury to the nerves as such. Neuropathic pain, on the other hand, is caused by an irritation or inflammation of nerve tissue or faulty signals between the nerves and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Examples of neuropathic pain are post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles) and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage in people with diabetes, leading to pain and numbness in the legs and feet). Living with pain can be physically and emotionally challenging. However, there are many effective treatments available for relief.

Medications for Pain Relief

Pain relievers or painkillers are medications that reduce different types of pain, such as headache, backache, arthritis, muscle aches, menstrual pain, and other aches and pains. Different pain relievers work well for different kinds of pain. Also, a person’s response to pain medication can vary. Some pain medications are available over-the-counter whereas others are only available with a doctor’s prescription. Some of the common drugs used to treat pain are listed below:

Opioids are powerful narcotic analgesics (pain medications) that are obtained from the poppy plant or man-made in the laboratory. They are prescription medications that are used when other painkillers do not work. Opioids are highly addictive (habit-forming) and must be taken under careful supervision by a healthcare provider. They are typically used for the short-term treatment of acute pain, such as after surgery. However, opioids may also be used to manage chronic pain. Opioids work by binding to receptors in the brain and blocking feelings of pain. Examples of opioids include codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin), oxymorphone (Opana), hydromorphone (Exalgo ER), hydrocodone-acetaminophen (Vicodin), fentanyl (Duragesic), tramadol (Ultram), meperidine (Demerol).

Anticonvulsants or anti-epilepsy drugs are medications that are used to treat seizures or convulsions. They also help relieve neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage. They work by blocking abnormal pain signals between the damaged nerves and the brain. Examples include gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), phenytoin (Dilantin), and carbamazepine (Tegretol).

Antidepressants are medications that are used to treat anxiety and depression. They can also be used to manage chronic pain, for example, pain from migraine headaches. They work by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain. Examples include nortriptyline (Pamelor) and imipramine (Tofranil) which are tricyclic antidepressants, paroxetine (Paxil) and fluoxetine (Prozac) which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and duloxetine (Cymbalta) which are serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Corticosteroids are drugs that suppress the body’s inflammatory response. By reducing inflammation, these medications also reduce pain. They are used to treat painful inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Examples include prednisone (Deltasone), prednisolone (Prelone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and hydrocortisone (Cortef).

Over-the-Counter Medications for Pain Relief

Over-the-counter pain relievers are good for many types of minor or short-lived pain. Two main types of OTC pain medications are available – acetaminophen (Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin. Although you can buy these pain medications without a doctor’s prescription, it is important not to overuse them because of the risk of serious side effects like bleeding, kidney injury, liver injury, and stomach ulcers.

Common Side Effects of Pain Relief Medications

Opioids commonly cause drowsiness and impaired judgment as side effects. People taking these medications should not drink alcohol, drive, or operate heavy machinery. Other possible side effects include itching, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking these medications, such as restlessness, insomnia, mood swings, and cravings for the medicine. You should follow your doctor’s instructions to gradually reduce the dose of opioids to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Opioid overdose is a significant risk and can be fatal.

Potential side effects of anticonvulsants include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, headache, nausea, and vomiting. It is important to be monitored by a doctor while taking anticonvulsants because they can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

Side effects of antidepressants can include drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, nausea, and constipation.

Common side effects of corticosteroids include weight gain, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, osteoporosis (brittle bones), high blood sugar, fluid retention, and increased risk of infections.

Common Questions

When do I need to see a doctor for pain?

If your pain has not improved with home remedies or over-the-counter pain medications and continues for more than two or three weeks, you should see a doctor. You should also seek professional medical care if your pain is preventing you from sleeping or relaxing, not allowing you to do your normal activities, or causing you to be stressed or anxious.

How do I safely take OTC painkillers?

Make sure you take only the amount recommended on the label. Taking more than the recommended amount may not necessarily offer quicker or better pain relief and can be dangerous. Do not use more than one OTC painkiller at one time without a doctor’s orders – many over-the-counter pain relievers contain similar ingredients and taking more than one can lead to other health problems. Keep track of your OTC painkillers and take a list with you if you go to see a doctor. If you’re given a prescription medication, ask your doctor if it is okay to take an OTC pain reliever with it.

Can I get a discount on pain relief medications with BuzzRx?

Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including pain relief medications—as long as they are over-the-counter medications or you have a signed prescription from your doctor.

References:

1.   https://medlineplus.gov/painrelievers.html

2.   https://www.neurosurg.org/articles/difference-between-neuropathic-and-nociceptive-pain#

3.   https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007489.htm

4.   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11888243/

5.   https://familydoctor.org/pain-relievers-understanding-your-otc-options/?adfree=true