Learn>Treatments>Medication

Treatments

What You Need to Know About the Different Classes of Pain Medications

Print
Share
Save

There are a variety of pain medications whether they are found over-the-counter or prescribed, they all treat pain. Pain can occur due to an injury, condition, disease, or surgery. Everyone will react differently to each medicine due to its’ physiological mechanism. You might not respond to the drug treatment similarly to another person with the same pain. We have described and provided a few examples of the commonly used pain medications:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)

NSAIDS are the commonly used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever by inhibiting prostaglandins. NSAIDS act on the central nervous system, where pain is perceived.


Examples:

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are quick, effective anti-inflammatory drugs that are often injected at the affected musculoskeletal area or taken orally for pain relief.


Examples:

Acetaminophen

This drug helps reduces fever, minor aches, and pains.


Example:  

  • Tylenol

Opioids

Opioids act on the nervous system to alter the pain message in how it is perceived. These drugs are powerful pain relievers but can be addicting for many people.


Examples:  

Muscle relaxants

These drugs reduce the pain and muscle spasms by acting on the central nervous system as an antidepressant.


Examples:

  • Baclofen (Lioresal)
  • Carisoprodol (Soma)
  • Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte, DSC)
  • Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

 

Anti-anxiety drugs

These drugs reduce anxiety, discomfort, and relax tense muscles.


Examples:  

Antidepressant drugs

The common form, tricyclics, alleviates pain possibly by increasing neurotransmitters to reduce the pain signals from reaching the brain.


Examples:  

Anticonvulsant drugs

Anticonvulsant drugs relieve pain that comes from damaged nerves.


Examples: 

Did you find this helpful?
You may also like