Also called: Also called: Analgesics, Pain medicines
Pain relievers are medicines that reduce or relieve headaches, sore muscles, arthritis or any number of other aches and pains. There are many different pain medicines, and each one has advantages and risks. Some types of pain respond better to certain medicines than others. Each person may also have a slightly different response to a pain reliever.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are good for many types of pain. There are two main types of OTC pain medications: acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Aspirin, naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are examples of OTC NSAIDs. If OTC medicines don't relieve your pain, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Many NSAIDs are available at prescription doses. The most powerful pain relievers are narcotics. These drugs can have serious side effects. You must use them only under a doctor's supervision.
There are many things you can do to help ease pain. Pain relievers are just one part of a pain treatment plan.
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Chronic Pain Medicines(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/treatment/122.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/pain/treatment/122.printerview.html
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Pain Relievers: Understanding Your OTC Options(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/otc-center/otc-medicines/862.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/otc-center/otc-medicines/862.printerview.html
- Medications and Chronic Pain(American Chronic Pain Association) - Large PDF file - http://www.theacpa.org/documents/ACPA%20Meds%202007%20Final.pdf
- New Guidelines Recommend Opioids for Seniors' Pain(05/07/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83957.html
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FDA Requires Additional Labeling for Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers to Help Consumers Use Products Safely(04/28/2009, Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02004.html
- Painkillers May Not Protect Against Dementia(04/22/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83243.html
- Acetaminophen, Cholesterol Drugs May Help Fight Stroke(04/15/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_82899.html
- FDA Adopts Interim Plan to Avoid Shortage of Medically Necessary Opioid(04/09/2009, Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01994.html
- FDA Acts to Halt Marketing of Certain Unapproved Prescription Narcotic Drugs(03/31/2009, Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01983.html
- More News on Pain Relievers http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_p.html#painrelievers
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Best Way to Take Your Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever? Seriously(Center for Drug Evaluation and Research) - http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/analgesics/bestWayBrochure.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/analgesics/bestway-spanish.htm
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Chronic Pain Medicines(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/treatment/122.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/pain/treatment/122.printerview.html
- Cortisone Shots(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cortisone-shots/MY00268/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
- Guide to Safe Use of Pain Medicine(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/painmeds022309.html
- Implantable Technologies: Spinal Cord Stimulation and Implantable Drug Delivery Systems(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/news_implantabletherapy.asp
- Medication Guide for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)(Center for Drug Evaluation and Research) - http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/COX2/NSAIDmedguide.htm
- Opioid Drugs(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/opioids.htm
- Pain Medications: Read the Label Before You Buy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pain-medications/PN00066/METHOD=print
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Prescription Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/seniors/seniors-meds/802.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/seniors/seniors-meds/802.printerview.html
- Proper Use of Fentanyl Pain Patches(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/206_fentanyl.html
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Analgesic Nephropathy (Painkillers and the Kidneys)
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/analgesicnephropathy/
- Arthritis Pain Relief: Creams and Gels for Aching Joints(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pain-medications/PN00041/METHOD=print
- Before Using Aspirin to Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack or Stroke, Here Is What You Should Know(Center for Drug Evaluation and Research) - http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/AspirinFactSheet.htm
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Dangers of Aspirin and NSAIDS(American College of Gastroenterology) - http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/women/asprin.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/cgp/pdf/Spnsaids.pdf
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NSAIDs(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/nsaids.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/2pager_SpanishNSAIDs.pdf
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Pain Control After Surgery: Pain Medicines(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/treatment/259.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/pain/treatment/259.printerview.html
- Pain Medications After Surgery(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pain-medications/PN00060/METHOD=print
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Analgesics(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/intervention=%22Analgesics%22
- Consensus Document Outlines Practical Steps for Reducing Gastrointestinal Risks(American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American College of Gastroenterology) - http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=539
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Factors affecting dosing regimens of morphine sulfate extended-release (KADIAN) capsules. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19344047&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Higher opioid doses predict poorer functional outcome in patients with... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19339577&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Efficacy and safety profile of a single dose of hydromorphone... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19281935&tool=MedlinePlus
- Pain Relievers -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(analgesics,opioid/tu[majr]+OR+narcotics[majr])+AND+pain/dt[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Non-narcotic pain relievers -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(analgesics,non+narcotic/tu[majr]+OR+anti+inflammatory+agents,non+steroidal/tu[majr]+OR+nonprescription+drugs/tu[majr])+AND+pain/dt[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research - http://www.fda.gov/cder/
- Food and Drug Administration - http://www.fda.gov/
- Nonmedical Use of Pain Relievers: 2004 to 2006(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/pain/substate.htm
- Trends in Nonmedical Use of of Prescription Pain Relievers: 2002 to 2007(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/painRelievers/nonmedicalTrends.htm
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Prescription Pain Medicines--An Addictive Path? - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg22a.html
- Acetaminophen: Watch Dosage for Children(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/acetaminophen/HO00002/METHOD=print
- How Do Pain Relievers Work?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/ibupro.html
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Aspirin(Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction) - http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/common/aspirin.html
- Medicines - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/medicines.html
- Over-the-Counter Medicines - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/overthecountermedicines.html
- Pain - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pain.html
- Drug Therapy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drugtherapy.html
Pain Relievers - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/painrelievers.html