Whakaoranga mamae ki ngā pakeke Pain relief medicines for adults
There are 3 main types of pain-relief medicines for adults to use for short-term pain — paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioid pain relievers.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is easy to buy from a pharmacy or supermarket without a prescription. It is important to take it at the recommended dose so the medicine works well and does not cause unwanted effects.
For most adults, the dose is two 500mg tablets every 4 to 6 hours, but no more than 8 tablets over 24 hours. Taking more than the recommended dose can be dangerous and can cause permanent damage to your liver.
Many combination products, such as cold and flu medicines, contain paracetamol. You should not take these at the same time as plain paracetamol or you may take an overdose.
If you need stronger pain relief, you should talk with your healthcare provider.
Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
Ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (usually called NSAIDs). Although they are often very effective for pain, they do have significant risks and are not suitable for everyone to take. They are useful for treating pain and conditions where there is some inflammation, such as arthritis or muscle sprains.
If you think you need to take an NSAID regularly for more than a week or two, you should tell your healthcare provider. They can check it is safe for you to continue using it and monitor you for any problems or side effects. You should not take NSAIDs if you have had:
- a stomach ulcer
- asthma
- problems with your kidneys
- heart disease.
Opioid pain relievers
Strong opioid pain relievers that can help with severe pain are only available on prescription. They include:
- codeine
- morphine
- oxycodone
- tramadol.
All opioids have many possible side effects, such as:
- constipation
- drowsiness
- nausea.
If you are concerned about any side effects, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Opioids are often effective for short-term, severe pain and are useful in palliative care. But they may have several serious side effects if you use them long term.
Generally, they become less effective if used for longer than 7 days, as your body becomes used to them and needs higher doses for the same effect. This is called tolerance. So, it is best to use these medicines for short-term pain, such as after a major injury, rather than for treating long-term (chronic) pain.
Addiction to opioids
Becoming addicted to opioid pain relievers (also called dependence) is a problem for some people. People who have had addiction problems in the past are most at risk of becoming addicted. If you are concerned about this, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
If you are prescribed an opioid, your healthcare provider will need to see you regularly so they can monitor how well the medicine is working and keep track of any problems.
Other pain relievers
Other medicines, such as some antidepressants and anti-epileptic medications, can be used to treat nerve (neuropathic) and long-term (chronic) pain.
Pain relief and other medicines
Some pain relief medicines can interact with other medicines you might take. This can cause reactions or reduce how well one or other of the medicines work. Always check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking pain relief with other medicines.