Painkillers

Painkillers or analgesics are used to achieve analgesia or relief from pain.  These drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous systems.  The type of pain determines the analgesic choice.  There are several classes of analgesic drugs.  Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are both nonprescription and prescription. COX-2 inhibitors are prescription drugs derived from NSAIDs.  Another important class of analgesics is opioids, which are narcotics and require a written prescription and include morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone.  There can also be pain relief benefit from classes of drugs that are not normally classed as analgesics, such as tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Most people take something when they have pain of any kind. There are analgesics or pain killers that are over-the-counter (OTC).  There is some confusion about dosage on these agents.  Patients tend to think that because these drugs are OTC that they are totally safe in all amounts, but they are not.  The most common OTC NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and others), and naproxen sodium (Aleve).  Many times physicians are not contacted for a painkiller and pain control until and unless the patient receives no relief from OTC medications. "Letting the pain get ahead," or allowing it to be untreated can make it more difficult to bring under control.  Being absolutely pain free may not be a realistic goal, but pain can usually be regulated so it does not interfere with daily life.