Pain alarms the body to
the presence of injury, inflammation and infection. However, pain can
prove physically and psychologically distressing and can significantly
interfere with the activities of daily living. Analgesic medications
relieve pain and alleviate the associated distress. A wide array of
non-narcotic and narcotic analgesics is available with differing
potencies to treat differing severities of pain.
Aspirin
Aspirin,
the most common and widely used pain reliever; inhibits the formation
of prostaglandins thereby reducing pain and inflammation. Prostaglandins
are chemicals produced by the body in areas of injury and inflammation;
they have many actions including triggering the pain response. Aspirin
effectively relieves low to moderate intensity pain.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen,
like aspirin reduces pain by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.
However, it does not have anti-inflammatory properties. People commonly
take acetaminophen for mild pain. Doctors prescribe combination
formulations of acetaminophen and a narcotic pain reliever for the
treatment of more intense pain.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen;
part of the group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
or NSAIDs; reduces pain and inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin
synthesis. Ibuprofen is available over-the-counter and in high doses by
prescription. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a combination
formulation of ibuprofen with a narcotic pain reliever for moderate to
severe pain.
Celecoxib
Celecoxib
is a prescription pain reliever in the NSAID group of medicines. It
reduces pain and inflammation by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)
enzyme, which assists in prostaglandin synthesis. Doctors most commonly
prescribe celecoxib for relief of the pain and inflammation of
osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic conditions.
Codeine
A
narcotic pain reliever, codeine acts in the brain mimicking the
pain-relieving actions of naturally occurring analgesic molecules called
endorphins and enkephalins. Physicians prescribe codeine either alone
or in combination with the non-narcotic pain reliever acetaminophen in
prescription medications for the relief of mild to moderately severe
pain.
Propoxyphene
A
man-made narcotic; propoxyphene has a structure resembles methadone,
although it proves less potent and addictive. Propoxyphene is available
by prescription for the treatment of mild to moderate pain.
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone
is a more potent synthetic derivative of the narcotic pain reliever
codeine. It is available in differing doses in combination with
acetaminophen for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain.
Oxycodone
A
strong narcotic pain reliever; oxycodone is roughly 10 to 12 times more
potent than codeine and on par with morphine in terms of its strength
and actions in the brain. This prescription drug is available in
immediate and extended release formulations of differing strengths for
the relief of moderate to severe pain.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl
is a potent, man-made narcotic pain reliever, and a rapid-acting
prescription narcotic. Doctors administer fentanyl either orally,
intravenously or transdermally (through a skin patch). Fentanyl commonly
treats severe, chronic pain such as that experienced by people with
cancer. Doctors may prescribe fentanyl in combination with other pain
relieving medicines.
Morphine
Morphine
is a powerful narcotic pain reliever. The drug acts in the brain to
relieve pain in a dose-dependent fashion. Morphine administration is by
mouth, intravenously, intramuscularly or as rectal suppositories. It
comes in immediate and extended release formulations, available only by
prescription. Respiratory depression caused by morphine limits dosing;
overdosage may cause respiratory arrest. Doctors typically reserve
morphine for the treatment of severe pain.
