Medications for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a type of pain that continues over time. It can last from 3 months or more to several years. Chronic pain may be caused by certain health conditions. It is more common in older people.

Treatment of chronic pain usually involves medications and therapy. Medications used for chronic pain include pain relievers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Different types of medications help people who have different types of pain. Generally, long-acting medications are used for constant pain. Short-acting medications treat pain when it is acute or short-term.

The road to better health

The goal of chronic pain treatment is to increase function and quality of life. Different types of medications help people who have different types of pain. For example, short-acting medications treat pain that comes and goes. Long-acting medications treat pain that is constant.

The most common medications are listed below. Each of them may have side effects. These can range from mild to severe. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to use your pain medicine. If you have questions about side effects, or about how much medicine to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen helps with many types of chronic pain. One brand is Tylenol. It is also found in many over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers. If you are not careful, you could take more acetaminophen than is good for you. Too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage, especially if you drink alcohol. Tell your doctor if you have to take more than 2 acetaminophen pills a day.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Other medications that help with pain are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen (two brand names: Advil), and naproxen (one brand name: Aleve). NSAIDs come in both over-the-counter and prescription forms. These medications can be taken sometimes, or every day. When taken regularly, they build up in the blood to fight inflammation (swelling) and relieve pain in general.

Always take NSAIDs with food or milk, because the most common side effects are stomach related. Some side effects include:

• Increased bruising.
• Risk of bleeding in the stomach.
• Kidney damage (when taken for long periods of time).
• High blood pressure.
• Interference with blood pressure medicines.

If you take other pain relievers, do not take NSAIDs without first consulting your doctor.

Types of antidepressants your doctor might prescribe include:

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and doxepin.
• Selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine (Cymbalta).
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).

Possible side effects of antidepressants include:

• nausea;
• drowsiness;
• insomnia (trouble sleeping);
• dry mouth;
• dizziness;
• constipation;
• weight gain; and
• heart problems.

TCAs tend to have more side effects than SNRIs or SSRIs, but they are usually mild. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of medication. This helps prevent side effects and allows the body to adjust. Your doctor may increase the amount over time. If at any time while taking medication, you become depressed or have suicidal thoughts, call your doctor right away. Be sure to visit their page to get more useful tips and ideas.