Pain Medications

A wide range of medications may be prescribed for your pain. These include:

• aspirin
• acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol)
• NSAIDs (pronounced EN-seds) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin)
• opioids (pronounced OH-pee-oydz), such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl
• coanalgesics (pronounced koh-an-ul-JEE-ziks), drugs that may make NSAIDs and opioids work more effectively

Pain medications work only if you take them, if you take the right ones, and if you take enough of them.

Most medications are available in several forms. Depending upon your medical condition and needs, your dose may come in a pill, liquid, suppository, injection, skin patch, or lozenge.

Before your doctor prescribes or changes your pain medication, be sure to mention any allergies you have. Also be sure to discuss any problems you've had with any drug—not just the ones you've taken for pain.

Here are important facts about getting the right amount of relief for your pain:

• Medications need to be individually titrated (adjusted) to every person to make sure they're helping as much as possible.
• Follow the dosing regimen carefully. It helps to write down each dose and the time you take it, especially if you're taking several medications.
• Never change the amount of medication you take or how often you take it without first checking with your doctor.
• Never stop taking opioid medications abruptly.
• You may have to change your dosing in consultation with your doctor, depending upon your symptoms, the medication, and how much you're taking.

Be sure you have a doctor's prescription before trying any of the medications discussed in this section.