What You Need to Know About Pain Medication

Pain serves an essential function in the body. It’s akin to a warning system, telling us if our bodily systems are not functioning as they should. Further, the type of pain we experience helps medical professionals diagnose and treat the injury or condition that caused it.

Despite the usefulness of pain as a warning system, it can also be debilitating. In fact, pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek medical care. It interferes with daily activities and responsibilities like socializing, working, and pursuing hobbies.

Fortunately, there are many types of pain medication you can take. However, the best medicine for pain depends on the kind of pain you have, as well as other factors, such as the underlying issue that may have caused it.

In this article, we dive deep into the main types of pain, commonly prescribed pain medications, and factors doctors consider when determining the best medicine you can take for pain.

Types of Pain

There are many ways to classify pain. One of them is to categorize them into acute pain and chronic pain.

Acute pain is sharp and comes on suddenly. It is usually brought about by injury to tissue, such as muscle and bone. This type of pain may last anywhere from a few seconds to a few months. Common causes of acute pain include:

• Fractures
• Surgery
• Cuts and burns

Meanwhile, chronic pain is a medical condition that lasts longer than acute pain. It may come and go or be continuous. Often, it is related to other long-term illnesses, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and cancer. However, some people experience chronic pain even after the underlying condition has been treated.

How Pain Is Treated

Treatment depends on many factors, including:

• The type of pain you’re experiencing.
• The condition or injury causing your pain, if diagnosed.
• Your overall health.

Additionally, it may involve rest, cold or hot compresses, physical therapy, and exercise. Commonly, pain is treated with one or more types of pain medication.

Treatment typically involves one or more types of medication. While the first-line treatment for pain is usually over-the-counter pain medication, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers for severe or chronic pain.

Types of Pain Medication

As mentioned previously, the best medicine for pain depends on many factors. These include the severity of the pain and the type of pain you have.

There are many types of pain medication. These include:

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Below, we’ve listed pain medication you can purchase from a pharmacy without a prescription. These help alleviate mild to moderate pain:

Anticonvulsants/Antiseizure Medications

Your doctor may prescribe medications for epilepsy to help alleviate neuropathic pain or pain that is caused by damage to the nerves. It may also be prescribed for fibromyalgia.

Anticonvulsants, also known as antiseizure medications, are thought to disrupt the pain signals sent by damaged nerves to the brain. Some examples are:

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

These medications work by blocking the effects of COX-1 and COX-2, enzymes that play an important role in making prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that cause pain and inflammation.

NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin may be purchased over the counter. However, your doctor may suggest prescription-strength NSAIDs for moderate to severe pain.

The following are some examples of NSAIDs:

*Generic only

COX-2 Inhibitor

These are newer types of NSAIDs. COX-2 inhibitors are effective at treating short-term pain and inflammation caused by conditions such as:

• Dysmenorrhea
• Sports injuries
• Osteoarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Gout

In the United States, the only COX-2 inhibitor available is Celecoxib (Celebrex®).

Topical Anesthetics

There are many creams, sprays, patches, and ointments available that can help relieve pain. Some can be purchased over the counter, while others require a prescription. The following are some of the most commonly used:

Methyl Salicylate (Topical) This is used to temporarily relieve minor pain such as sprains, backaches, strains, and bruises. It is classified as a counterirritant because the cooling sensation it produces can help soothe pain.

Prescription NSAIDs (Topical) Your doctor may prescribe an NSAID you can apply on your skin if you have musculoskeletal pain. Common brands include Voltaren® Arthritis Pain, Flector®, and Pennsaid®.

Lidocaine (Topical) This pain medication can only be purchased with a valid doctor’s prescription. It works by blocking pain signals from the nerve endings in the skin, creating a temporary numbing effect. Topical lidocaine is available in generic and name-brand forms such as:

• Ztlido®
• Salonpas®
• Lidocare®
• Absorbine Jr® Plus
• Ziloval®
• Tranzarel®
• Moxicaine®

Tricyclic Antidepressants

While meant to treat depression, tricyclic antidepressants may also be prescribed for pain, especially chronic pain. It is thought that they relieve pain by affecting the neurotransmitters that send pain signals to the brain.

The following are some tricyclic antidepressants that may be prescribed for pain:

Choosing the Best Medicine for Pain

If you are experiencing pain, whether acute or chronic, it’s best to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. Your doctor will assess your medical history and evaluate your symptoms to help choose the best medicine to prescribe to you for pain. They may also order tests to help determine if you have an underlying condition causing your symptoms.

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Sources:

• https://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Dataset_Documentation/NHIS/2020/srvydesc-508.pdf
• https://www.iasp-pain.org/resources/topics/acute-pain/
• https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db390.htm
• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210420092901.htm
• https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/2019/01000/Chronic_pain_as_a_symptom_or_a_disease__the_IASP.3.aspx
• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/194526