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Pain Management Medications
Research and experience shows that bodily pain responds well to acetaminophen, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, local anesthesia, cold packs and other forms of physical therapy. Pain originating in the nervous system is managed using anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, lidocaine patches and opiates.
NSAIDs and acetaminophen are effective for most forms of acute pain (pain which is sharp but short lasting) but severe pain may require stronger medication. Narcotic drugs are able to handle intense pain effectively, and are used for cancer pain and acute pain that does not respond well to NSAIDs and acetaminophen. Narcotic drugs are available only with a doctor?s prescription and are classified as either opiates or opioids. Opiates include morphine and codeine, which are made from the opium plant, whereas opioids are synthetic drugs made similar in structure to opiates. Drugs in the class of opioids include oxycodone, methadone, and meperidine. Generally narcotics are not recommended for long-term use because the body develops a tolerance to them, thus reducing their effectiveness over time.
An alternative to using narcotics is the use of anti-depressants and anti-convulsants. Although anti-depressant drugs were developed to treat depression, they have been found to be effective in combating chronic headaches, cancer pain, and pain associated with nerve damage. Anti-convulsant drugs are normally used in the treatment of epilepsy, but they also have been found to be effective in pain management. Corticosteroids are another class of medicines used in pain management. They are very effective against pain caused by inflammation and swelling.
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