Pain medication and adults

Pain Medication

We have all experienced pain of some sort, and we don't like it. An hour of pain is as long as a day of pleasure! We seek relief, by using pain relieving medications, which doctors call analgesics.

In my job as a GP in a busy practice looking after 17,000 patients, I would estimate that about 50% of the patients I see are presenting with painful conditions.

Patients with pain will usually, at first, treat themselves by going along to their local pharmacist and buying an `over the counter' medicine for pain relief. In 1990, we spent over 145 million on them!

There is a vast selection of analgesics available `over the counter', in pharmacies, supermarkets and corner shops, to treat the pain of headache, hangovers, migraine, arthritis, toothache, painful periods, earache, sore throats, muscular pains and backache. So let's have a look at the most popular ones available.

Aspirin

Benefits This drug not only relieves pain, but also eases inflammation, and these properties make it particularly useful in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatic conditions. As it is also effective at reducing fevers, it is useful in treating colds and flu and it's cheap!

Aspirin also has other qualities, in that it can prevent the blood from clotting, and so can offer some protection against heart attacks and strokes.

Also, in pregnancy, it has been shown to lower the risk of developing toxaemia and low birth weight babies.

This simple `wonder drug' also offers some protection against developing cataracts!!

Problems Aspirin can cause problems. It can irritate the stomach and cause bleeding from it, so anyone with a history of indigestion or peptic ulcers, should not use aspirin. As alcohol can also inflame the stomach, it should be avoided when taking aspirin.

Asthmatics should be wary of aspirin, as they, in particular, can develop a severe allergic reaction to the drug.

Children under the age of 12 years should never be given aspirin, as it is connected with the development of a rare condition, called Reye's Syndrome, which causes liver damage and inflammation of the brain. Use paracetamol instead.

Paracetamol

Benefits Paracetamol does not irritate the stomach or cause bleeding, and is safe to use in children and during pregnancy. Paracetamol is the most popular pain reliever for children, and like aspirin also reduces fever, especially in children who develop a fever following their routine vaccinations. The most popular brand of paracetamol is `Calpol', which is also available as a sugar free medicine.

Paracetamol is extremely safe in adults and children, and is a very popular analgesic.

Problems There are very few problems with this particular pain killer, except that in large doses it can cause kidney and liver damage.

As it such a useful and popular pain reliever, it is important to realise that it is present in many different types of medication, some which can be bought `over the counter'(OTC) such as Andrews Answer, Solpadeine, Anadin Extra, Panadol, Cocodamol and others which you could be receiving from your own GP. To be on the safe side, always tell your GP or pharmacist what `OTC' medications you are using.

Unlike aspirin, paracetamol does not reduce inflammation, so it not so effective against arthritis and rheumatism.

Ibuprofen

Benefits `Nurofen' is the most well known brand of ibuprofen. Not only does it relieve pain, but it reduces inflammation and lowers temperature. The prescription medicine that contains ibuprofen is called `Brufen', which has been widely used by doctors in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and soft tissue injuries, such as sprains. Not only is it effective in joint pains and headaches but it is useful in the treatment of painful periods. If two tablets are taken before going out to a party, they reduce the severity of a hangover the next day!!

Problems Like aspirin, this drug can irritate the stomach and should not be used by people with indigestion or peptic ulcers. Nor should it be used by asthmatics, who could develop an allergic reaction to it, and it should not be used in pregnancy.

Codeine

Benefits This is frequently combined with other pain releivers, such as paracetamol and aspirin, e.g as in `Veganin'. Such combinations can be very effective, as they reduce the side effects of each individual ingredient. Codeine can induce a feeling of slight euphoria (feeling a little `high'), which might be useful in a patient with a serious long term painful illness. However, this can also be a problem as the drug can be habit forming.

Problems Because of its habit forming potential, pain killers that contain codeine should be used with caution. Cough medicines which often contain codeine, because of it's cough supressant action, are often abused by youngsters looking for a cheap `high', but there is the troublesome side effect of constipation!

Codeine, like many other medications should not be use in pregnancy.

General advice

*When using `over the counter' pain relievers never exceed the recommended dose.

*Never use `over the counter' pain killers more frequently than once every four hours.

*Report to your GP if your painful condition is not relieved by these pain killers, or if your pain is lasting more than 2-3 days.

*Consult your GP if you experience any stomach problems such as indigestion whilst using pain killers.
IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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