Pain medicine

Pain medications

Many people take pain medication regularly, or at least frequently. There are many reasons why pain medications are taken. It could be a headache, a migraine, a toothache, or backache, abdominal discomfort during menstruation, ear, throat, or body pain from colds and flu or after a sports injury, chronic rheumatism or acute joint pain.

Maximum caution should always be exercised when taking painkiller medicine. You should look at the package insert before taking your medicine. If in doubt, consult an experienced professional first.

Also, you should monitor your condition very closely after taking your medication so that you can classify any side effects.

Types of Painkiller Medicine

Best pain relievers are divided into opioid and non-opioid medications. However, non-opioid medications are also divided into over-the-counter and prescription-only pain relievers.

Non-opioid pain relievers

OTC non-opioid pain relievers include, for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with the active ingredient ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen, which inhibit prostaglandin formation by blocking the COX (cyclooxygenase) enzyme.

Prostaglandins are tissue hormones that are produced to a greater extent during inflammation and thus cause pain. Thus, NSAIDs fight the onset of pain rather than simply relieving symptomatic pain.

The active ingredient paracetamol, which belongs to the group of analgesics, is also classified as an over-the-counter non-opioid pain reliever, although its mechanism of action has not yet been definitively clarified.

A brief overview of the best-known active ingredients in painkillers pills:

1. Ibuprofen is the strongest over the counter painkiller, that has the following actions: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic. The remedy is characterized by a quick onset of action (about 15-20 minutes), suitable for fever, headaches, back pain and joint inflammation.
2. Diclofenac is an analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory medication, used for pain and inflammation of various etiologies.
3. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is an analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Characterized by its rapid action, it is suitable, for example, for headaches, toothaches, joint pain, back pain, fever, and colds.
4. Naproxen is an analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory of long duration (8-12 hours).
5. Paracetamol is an analgesic, antipyretic, ideal for mild to moderate pain.

Prescription non-opioid painkillers

Prescription-only non-opioid painkillers pills include, for example, drugs with the active ingredient Novaminsulfon (Metamizole), Piroxicam, and Meloxicam, which prevent or inhibit pain.

Opioid analgesics

Opioids are highly effective pain relievers that are either naturally occurring or produced semi- or fully synthetically.

Prescription pain relievers act on opioid receptors in cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and provide interference with pain transmission and alter pain processing.

This means that although the cause of the pain still exists, it is no longer perceived or perceived only to a lesser degree. Because opioids impair cognitive function, medications in this group require a prescription.

A brief overview of selected opioid-active ingredients:

1. Morphine is administered only for severe pain and under medical supervision, due to its many side effects, and high potential for addiction.
2. Codeine and Dihydrocodeine are used mainly to treat cough. Codeine combined with Paracetamol are also used for pain relief.
3. Fentanyl is a synthetically derived opioid prescribed for very severe pain, and it is about 100 times stronger than Morphine.
4. Methadone is used in substitution therapy for opioid addicts.

What kind of doctor can prescribe pain medication?

The best pain reliever is used for different types of pain. Therefore, such medications can be dispensed by a general practitioner or doctor of subspecialty – neurologist, oncologist, otolaryngologist, traumatologist.

What is the strongest otc pain reliever?

The strongest over the counter painkillers are drugs with the active ingredient Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Diclofenac-based painkillers, Naproxen, and Paracetamol. You can get over-the-counter painkillers for mild to moderately severe pain at our online pharmacy Mexicanrxpharm.

What is the best pain reliever?

Depending on the origin of the pain and the degree of pain, different types of painkiller medicine may be best suited. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are considered the most popular painkiller medications.

Paracetamol is a painkiller and antipyretic that is sold in the form of suppositories, painkiller pills and capsules. Ibuprofen not only reduces pain and fever, but also has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Pain reliever injections

Pain reliever injections can be prescribed for moderate to severe pain. For example, pain reliever injections may be prescribed after surgery, for exacerbations of chronic diseases, during migraines, or after burns and severe trauma.

Injectable painkillers are also used in dentistry, oncology, and to reduce pain during menstruation. The injectable form of drugs is characterized by a stronger effect and speed of action.

Medicine for back pain: over the counter 

For back pain, pain medications can be taken in the form of tablets, injections, and ointments. The form of the drug is determined by the attending physician after examining the patient and holding a consultation.

Med for back pain relief is taken orally to reduce the sensation of pain or rubbed on the problem area for local effects.

Medications used for back pain include diclofenac, ibuprofen, and codeine. You can consult a pharmacist to buy medicine for back pain over the counter.

Pain reliever while breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, pain relievers that have the fewest side effects and are the least harmful to your health are used. These include ibuprofen and paracetamol.

At the same time, you should avoid taking painkillers both during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It is best to discuss the need to take the drugs with your doctor. At the consultation, you will be able to determine the type and dosage of the medication.

Pain reliever for sore throat

For sore throat, the most commonly used remedies are various means in the form of tablets, sprays, pastilles, and solutions for gargling. Such remedies are characterized by their antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action.

Also, one of the ingredients in medications for sore throat is a local anesthetic. It helps to suppress pain, but does not affect its cause and cannot eliminate inflammation.