Pain is a sensation that causes discomfort. Acute pain can occur after an injury and usually goes away as the body heals. Chronic pain is persistent, often lasts for more than six months and can require prescription medication, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Non-opioids, opioids and adjuvant analgesics are the three main categories of prescription medication that treat pain, according to the American Chronic Pain Association.
Non-Opioids
Non-opioid prescription pain medications include acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Acetaminophen is used to treat headache, muscle ache, backache and osteoarthritis, but does not have anti-inflammatory activity. Acetaminophen in prescription medications is combined with other drugs, particularly opioids. Percocet and Vicodin are two popular drugs that combine acetaminophen and oxycodone, an opioid painkiller. However, acetaminophen in combination with other pain medications can be dangerous. The Food and Drug Administration warns users that acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage, particularly in high doses.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also called NSAIDS, are effective in treating muscle aches, joint pain, arthritis pain and pain caused from inflammation of tissue. NSAIDS include COX-2 inhibitor drugs such as Celebrex, meloxicam and nabumetone. NSAIDS can cause stomach ulcers and users should be monitored during long term use. NSAIDS combined with acetaminophen can cause kidney problems, especially with long term use, according to the American Chronic Pain Association.
Opioids
Opioids, such as oxycodone, are morphine-like substances and considered schedule 2 narcotics that are stronger in relieving pain than non-opioid drugs, but have more serious side effects and potential for abuse. Taking opioid pain medication makes sense when the benefits outweigh the risks. These benefits include a reduction of pain and better quality of life. Long term use of opioids can increase tolerance for the medication, requiring increasing dosages. The user can develop an increased sensitivity for pain, reduced sex hormone production, decreased libido and irregular menses, according to the American Chronic Pain Association. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that the number of fatal poisonings from opioid pain medications increased over 300 percent between 1999 and 2006, and that opioid analgesics were involved in almost 40 percent of all poisoning deaths in 2006. Opioid pain medications are also popularly abused prescription drugs. People should not drive or operate machinery when taking opioid pain medications.
Adjuvant Analgesics
Adjuvant analgesics are medicines that were approved for conditions other than pain, according to Beth Israel University Hospital and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. These medications include antidepressants and anticonvulsants. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and desipramine, are effective for treating pain associated with migraines, postherpetic nerve pain, diabetic neuropathy, low back pain and arthritis. Patients taking these drugs could experience side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and weight gain. Anticonvulsant drugs treat epilepsy and associated seizures. Anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, also can be effective in treating pain associated with migraines.
References
- American Acedemy of Family Physicians: Chronic Pain Medicines
- American Chronic Pain Association: Consumer Guide to Pain Medication and Treatment
- Food and Drug Administration: Acetaminophen and Liver Injury: Q & A for Consumers
- "National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief"; Increase in Fatal Poisonings Involving Opioids; Warner, M.; Sep 2009
- Beth Israel University Hospital Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Adjuvant Medications
