Best Pain Meds

Patients use various types of medications to get relief from pain. Sometimes, people also use non-pharmaceutical treatments to control pain. Some precautions, however, should be taken before using pain-relievers because prolonged use of them can lead to several serious side effects. Each person with chronic pain requires specific medication which should be chosen comparing the risks with the possible benefits.

Among the different medications for treatment of pain is Tylenol (Acetaminophen).

Tylenol does not have anti-inflammatory effects and is, therefore, a good choice if there is no inflammation is at the site of the chronic pain. Tylenol is safe if used in an appropriate manner, but can prove to be dangerous if taken excessively. Patients should, however, take care to avoid using medications like Percocet or Darvocet along with regular Tylenol.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example Ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin etc. are suitable for use in cases of acute pain or if there are flare-ups in patients having chronic pain. These are extremely useful for treating inflammatory conditions including tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis. NSAID use is generally limited for patients with chronic pain because it could cause stomach problems. Although new drugs like Celebrex have been designed to address this problem, one should still be careful about using them for a long period of time.

Corticosteroids are also strong anti-inflammatory medications, and suitable for acute pain or for flare-ups of a chronic inflammatory problem. One can take corticosteroids orally (Medrol, Prednisone), or they can be injected into the soft tissues or joints that are called cortisone injections.

Narcotics are an option that should be tried only if pain cannot be controlled using other methods. They may be addicting and dangerous, but they are highly effective as well. Narcotic medications can be used in case of acute pain, but they are also known to produce some significant side effects. While their short-acting types can lead to overuse and the development of tolerance, long-acting varieties usually have fewer side effects. The latter can also control chronic pain batter. Patients may get addicted to narcotic medications if they are used for a long time without phased reduction in the dose, or if the medications are used for reasons other than pain.

Anticonvulsant medications are often used to treat nerve pain. They change the function of the nerve and the signals that are dispatched to the brain. The most familiar anticonvulsant medication for treating nerve pain is known as Neurontin (Gabapentin). A recent option, particularly suitable for treating fibromyalgia, is Lyrica (Pregabalin).

The use of local anesthetics can bring temporary pain relief to an area. When used in cases of chronic pain, local anesthetics are usually applied as a topical patch to the area of pain. One can use Lidoderm, which comes in a patch, and decreases the sensitivity of the area when applied to the skin.

However, it is extremely difficult to get rid of chronic pain quickly, or with just one treatment. The best method for treating chronic pain is by working with your doctor and trying to combat the pain with various types of treatments. Among other effective treatments for chronic pain are acupuncture, ice and heat application, massage, and other alternative options.

• Matt Thompson
• 18/02/2009, 8:59 PM
• 0 Comments