Many types of drugs are used as painkillers today. And they often address different types of pain. So depending on the type of analgesic you choose there will be different effects. These days, people mostly rely on prescription analgesics they get from their doctors, of course. But let us remember that this is not the only option and you can choose from more treatments. If you are forced to deal with pain on a regular basis or simply want to know which options are available for different conditions you can learn the basics about the most common painkiller medications below.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
NSAIDs are one of the most common remedies to address both acute and chronic pain. These drugs aren’t classified as analgesics in fact but they are often used with the purpose of addressing pain of different origins. The most widespread NSAIDs include aspirin, diclofenac and ibuprofen, which help reduce inflammatory processes in the body that may be at the cause of painful sensations. However one should keep in mind that if the pain isn’t caused by any inflammatory processes these drugs won’t be of much use.
Corticosteroid drugs
Corticosteroids are an advanced variation of NSAIDs but their formula contains steroid substances that promote more radical anti-Inflammatory effects. NSAIDs are only available through a prescription as they are rather strong medications and are mainly prescribed for conditions that involve severe inflammation. Corticosteroids like Prednisone and Medrol can be effective painkillers only in cases when the discomfort is caused by inflammation, same as NSAIDs.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen or Tylenol, is a very common component in hundreds of medications ranging from flu meds to various anti-inflammatory drugs. Acetaminophen in its original form is an over-the-counter medication used for treating mild to moderate acute pain. So when your pain isn’t that bad and you need prompt pain relief this drug can be rather effective. But as usual – thoroughly overview the contents of all the drugs you are using at the moment, because if they contain Tylenol you might risk having an overdose. (more…)