Pharmacological Therapies (Medication) of Pain
Friday, October 10th, 2008Pharmacological Therapies (Medication)
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Non-opioid pain relievers |
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Opioids |
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Adjuvant medications (drugs whose primary purpose is not for pain but rather for other conditions) |
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Topical treatments (drugs are applied directly to the skin, as a patch, gel, or cream)
Because the effects of a medication can vary widely from person to person, treatment of pain needs to be tailored to fit each individual. Some patients may need to try many different kinds of treatments before they find the right balance between pain relief and side effects. Patients should be sure their doctors are aware of all medications they are taking, even for conditions unrelated to their pain or over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin. Many medications should not be taken together because they increase or decrease each other’s effects or produce new adverse reactions. Of course, the doctor should also be informed if the patient is pregnant or breast-feeding.
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