Prescription pain relievers treat people with moderate to severe pain, many of whom experience chronic pain for more than six months, according to the American Chronic Pain Association. Physicians prescribe opioids, acetaminophen in combination with opioids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines to relieve pain. Nonetheless, these prescription pain relievers have side effects, some dangerous and life-threatening.
Opioids
Opioids are synthetic substances with opiate-like properties, similar to morphine or codeine, that treat moderate to moderately severe pain, according to CVS Pharmacy. Opioid drugs include oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl. These prescription pain relievers block pain messages in the brain and are effective in treating chronic pain associated with cancer, damaged nerves and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
According to the American Chronic Pain Association, common opioid side effects include constipation, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and thought and memory impairment. CVS Pharmacy warns patients and their families to watch carefully for dizziness, confusion or bluish skin and dramatic slowdowns in breathing, since these are danger signs for overdose and potentially serious or fatal consequences. Patients taking opioid medications can develop tolerance to the drug. Physicians usually increase the dosage of the drug to accommodate the patient's need for medication to relieve their pain. However, higher doses increase the risk of side effects.
Opioids can also be highly addictive and fatal, particularly when misused and not taken as directed. Controlled-release pills containing oxycodone can be fatal if the user consumes the pills after crushing, cutting or chewing. Fatal overdoses of controlled-release patches containing fentanyl have been reported, according to research conducted by A.M. Tharp and published in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology in 2004.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is available by prescription in drug products that are in combination with opioid medicines such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, according to the American Chronic Pain Association and CVS Pharmacy. These prescription pain relievers are often prescribed for people who experience chronic pain and need a fast and short-acting drug. Nonetheless, these drugs can have serious and fatal side effects.
Side effects from acetaminophen include rash, hives, itching, swelling and difficulty breathing or swallowing, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Research conducted by W.M. Lee and published in Hepatology Research in 2008 says that acetaminophen overdoses are the top cause of acute liver failure in the U.S., with a 30 percent mortality rate. About 50 percent of these fatalities are caused by unintentional overuse of acetaminophen-containing pain relievers. Research conducted by A.M. Larson and published in Hepatology in 2005 concluded that 63 percent of unintentional overdoses from acetaminophen were from prescription pain relievers also containing an opioid drug.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treat pain by blocking enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2 involved in inflammation, according to CVS Pharmacy. Prescription-strength NSAIDS include rofecoxib, celecoxib, naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac. Side effects from NSAIDS include nausea, stomach pain, heartburn, dizziness, rash, constipation, diarrhea, gas and vomiting, according to eMedTV. Research by J. Hippisley-Cox published in the British Medical Journal in 2005 indicates risk of heart attack from taking NSAIDS.
References
- American Chronic Pain Association: Consumer Guide to Pain Medication and Treatment
- CVS Pharmacy: Ills & Conditions Prescription Pain Relievers
- "American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology"; Fatal Fentanyl Abuse; Tharp, A.M.; Jun 2004
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists: Acetaminophen
- "Hepatology Research"; Acetaminophen-Related Acute Liver Failure in the United States; Lee, W.M.; Nov 2008
