Painkillers pills are used to reduce headaches, arthritis, sore muscles, or other aches and pains. There are several different types of pain medicines that have advantages and risks. Every people feel a slightly different response to a pain reliever medicine. These types of medicines are used to treat pain. Some pains respond better to certain medicines than others in our bodies. There are a large number of painkillers available in the market under various different brand names. It can be taken by mouth as liquids, tablets, capsules, or by injection.
How do painkillers work?
NSAIDs work by blocking the effect of chemicals called cyclooxygenase enzymes. These enzymes are helpful to make other chemicals that are called prostaglandins. The reduction in prostaglandin production reduces both pain and inflammation. Some prostaglandins are involved in the production of inflammation and pain at sites of injury or damage.
Types of Painkillers
There are only three main types of painkillers available, they are:
1) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: NSAIDs include naproxen, ibuprofen, and diclofenac. Aspirin is also an NSAID that is mainly prescribed to help to keep the blood from clotting like for people who have had a heart attack in the past.
2) Paracetamol
3) Weak opioids and strong opioids: Weak opioids include dihydrocodeine and codeine. They are extremely effective analgesics often used to treat severe pain and can lead to significant addiction and adverse effects. Strong opioids include pethidine, tramadol, morphine, and oxycodone.
How should I take painkillers?
If you are taking an NSAID like diclofenac and ibuprofen then you will need to take this with or after food. Painkiller medicine can irritate the lining of your stomach and sometimes cause bleeding in your stomach. Doctors recommend that you can take most painkillers for the shortest time possible, in the lowest dose that is effective. If you have concerns then consult your doctor or pharmacist.People who are suffering from pain all the time are usually recommended to take painkillers regularly.
If paracetamol medicine is prescribed by the doctors then you will normally take it four times a day, every day until the pain is better.
What is one of the best painkillers?
The type of painkiller depends upon some factors like the type of pain you have, how severe your pain is, any other health problems you may have, and the possible side effects of the medicines. If your pain is not too serious then Paracetamol medicine is normally prescribed and by taking it you will not have inflammation. Generally, painkillers should be taken for the shortest period of time in the possible lowest dose that controls your pain. It is helpful to avoid any side effects. Some people have painful conditions and need to take painkillers on a long-term basis such as people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or chronic back pain.
Warning and Precautions
If you have had a serious side effect or an allergic reaction to a particular type of painkiller in the past then you cannot be able to take a painkiller. It is very rare for anyone that no one is able to take some type of painkiller. Aspirin should not be taken by children under the age of 16 years, because there is a risk of the child developing Reye’s syndrome.