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.
-
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
-
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
- Pain Treatment(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec06/ch078/ch078d.html
- NSAIDs Might Lower Breast Cancer Risk(10/09/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_70268.html
- Cell Protein Suppresses Pain Better Than Morphine(10/08/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_70211.html
- Hospital Fixes Cut Opiate Errors in Kids(10/06/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_70102.html
- More News on Pain Relievers http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_p.html#painrelievers
-
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: Relieve Joint Pain at the Source(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pain-medications/PN00046/METHOD=print
- Implantable Technologies: Spinal Cord Stimulation and Implantable Drug Delivery Systems(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/news_implantabletherapy.asp
- Nerve Blocks(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/nerve_block/hic_nerve_blocks.aspx
- Opioid Drugs: Summary of Affordable Alternatives(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/opioids.htm
- Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Pump(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/pain_management/hic_patient-controlled_analgesia_pca_pump.aspx
-
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
- 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
-
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
-
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
- 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
- NSAIDs and Peptic Ulcers(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/nsaids/
-
NSAIDs: Summary of Affordable Alternatives(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
- Over-the-Counter Pain Medications: Reading the Labels(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pain-medications/PN00066/METHOD=print
- Pain After Surgery: How Pain Medications and Anesthesia Can Help(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pain-medications/PN00060/METHOD=print
-
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 Medicine--Using the Tools of the Trade(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/support_krames_0403.asp
- Proper Use of Fentanyl Pain Patches(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/206_fentanyl.html
- Questions and Answers on COX-2 Selective and Non-Selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs(Center for Drug Evaluation and Research) - http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/COX2/COX2qa.htm
- Venous Access(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Venous_Access.html
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Analgesics(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%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
- Why Pain Medication Use Is Really on the Rise(National Pain Foundation) - http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/News_RealReasonWhyPainMedicationUseonRise.asp
- Article: The side effects of morphine and hydromorphone patient-controlled analgesia. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18806056&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Intraoperative low-dose ketamine does not prevent a remifentanil-induced increase in... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18806023&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Neuropathic pain - the case for opioid therapy. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18758203&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+drugs,non+prescription/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/
- Institute for Safe Medication Practices - http://www.ismp.org/
- Nonmedical Use of Pain Relievers: 2004 to 2006(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/pain/substate.htm
- 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
- 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