Types Of Painkillers Available In Pharmacies

By Author: Steven Johnson
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There are many types of drugs that are used as painkillers these days. And depending on the type of analgesic you choose there will be different effects and different types of pain may be addressed as well. Sure, people these days mostly rely on prescription analgesics they get from their doctors but that's not the only option to choose from. So if you are forced to deal with pain on a regular basis or simply want to know which options are available for different situations it's best for you to learn the basics about the most common painkiller medications being used.

NSAIDs

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are one of the most common options for addressing both acute and chronic pain. Although these drugs aren't classified as analgesics they are often used with the main purpose of addressing various pain types. The most widespread NSAIDs include aspirin, diclofenac and ibuprofen, which help reduce inflammatory processes in the body that may be at the cause of painful sensations. Keep in mind however that if the pain isn't caused by any inflammatory processes this type of drugs won't be much of a help.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids ...
... are an advanced version of NSAIDs containing steroid substances that promote more effective and radical anti-Inflammatory effects. These drugs are only available through a prescription due to their potent nature and are mainly prescribed for conditions that involve severe inflammation. And just like in case of NSAIDs corticosteroids like Prednisone and Medrol can be effective painkillers only in cases when the discomfort is caused by inflammatory processes.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, is a very common component found in hundreds of different medications ranging from flu meds to various anti-inflammatory drugs. In its original form, acetaminophen is an over-the-counter medication used for treating mild to moderate acute pain. It is rather effective in cases when you need prompt pain relief and the pain isn't that bad. However, pay close attention to the contents of all the drugs you are using at the moment, for they may contain Tylenol and you might risk having an overdose of this drug.

Opioids

Opioids represent the most common and potent painkillers used in modern day medicine. They come in different classes including natural opiates such as morphine and codeine, which are mainly used for post surgery pain relief and aren't available outside hospitals, and synthetic opioids such as demedrol, methadone and Ultram. Ultram is regarded as one of the most commonly prescribed painkillers in the USA and is very popular for addressing various pain types. Opioid analgesics can address any type of pain regardless of its cause since they work by blocking nerve receptors in the brain and making the brain believe that there's no more pain in the body.

Local anesthetics

There are many different topical solutions that may be used for managing pain resulted from trauma or inflammation. Gels and cremes based on drugs like Capsaicin and Lidoderm provide an effective pain relief in the affected area after being applied. Local anesthetics mainly work by numbing the nerve endings in the affected area, which prevents the nerve pain signals to be sent to the brain that are in the end interpreted by the brain as painful sensations.