Medications

What You Should Know about Pain Medications

It is important for patients and family members to understand the most effective way to use prescribed pain medications. Fear can often cause people to cut their doses or take their medications less often than required. The most important thing to remember is that pain and its associated symptoms can vary, so ongoing communication with your health care provider is essential. No one should simply endure pain because they believe that nothing can be done to help.

Getting the Most out of Your Pain Medication

(Adapted from the Pain Resources Network "Patient and Family Guide to Pain and Symptom Management")

• Take your medications in the dosages prescribed and at the regularly scheduled times that are recommended. If you experience discomfort or unpleasant side effects, consult your health care provider. Do not adjust your medications yourself.


• Understand how each medication works on your type of pain or symptom.


• Find out when each medication will start to work and how long its effects will last.


• Keep a record of the medications you are taking, the times you take them, and the impact they are having on your pain and symptoms.


• If your pain is constant, take your pain pills around the clock, on a regular schedule.


• Prevent your pain, don't chase it. Take medication when you start to feel uncomfortable.


• Make sure you take a laxative regularly (almost every time you take a pain pill).


• Try massage, muscle relaxation or other therapies to enhance your medication's effectiveness.


• Listen to your favorite music, look at your favorite art, get fresh flowers in your room, or watch your favorite movies.


• If your pain or conditions are causing you emotional or spiritual distress, seek help from the appropriate members of your health care team.

Types of Pain Medications

Acetaminophen and Anti-Inflammatories:

These drugs include Tylenol, aspirin, Ibuprofen, Advil, Naprosyn/Naproxyn, Ketoprophen Transdermal Gel, and Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate (Trilisate). They are typically prescribed for mild to moderate somatic pain. Side effects can include upset stomach and intestinal bleeding.

Combination Opioid/Non-Opioids:

Common drugs in this class are Codeine with Acetaminophen, Oxycodone with Acetaminophen (Percocet), and Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen (Vicodin). These drugs are most commonly used to treat moderate pain.

Opioid Equianalgesic Drugs:

These highly effective medications are prescribed in cases of severe pain. They include Morphine Sulfate, Oxycodone, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and Methadone (Dolophine). Morphine and Oxycodone come in immediate release or continuous release formulas.

Learn more about Non-Medical Interventions.