Medications that relieve pain are called analgesics.
Analgesics do not affect the cause of the pain, but they can stop you from feeling it as much. Medications for pain depend on the type and level of pain.
Controlling the pain
- Stay on top of the pain: Prevent pain from starting or getting worse by taking your medication regularly. It may mean you can use lower doses of a pain reliever than if you wait until the pain gets bad. Don’t be afraid to admit that you have pain.
- Give the medications time to work: Different pain medications take different amounts of time to work. This can range from a few minutes, to several hours or perhaps even several days or weeks before you get the best relief.
- Follow the directions on the label: If you are in some pain all the time, your pain medication should be taken regularly.
- Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if the labelled dose does not help your pain: You may be able to control your pain with a mild pain reliever if you take it regularly instead of once in a while.
Breakthrough pain
You may get pain between your doses of medication. This is called breakthrough pain.
This may be because the amount of medication you are taking is not enough or because the pain is worse at times – e.g. after activity. Ask your doctor or nurse what to do if you have breakthrough pain.
Different pain medications work for different lengths of time. It also varies slightly for different people. Pain relief also depends on how much you take - the dose - and how often you take it - the frequency.
If the pain relief is wearing off before the next dose is due, tell your doctor or nurse. Ask if you may take the medication in larger doses to keep the pain under control.
More information
Ways of taking medications
Pain medications can be taken in different ways, including:
- Tablet or capsule: the most common way to take pain medications. Take your medication with a glass of water or other drink, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not take your medication with alcohol. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, ask your doctor or nurse about liquid medication or lozenges that are placed under the tongue.
- Injection: under the skin or into a muscle or vein.
- Skin patch: gradually releases pain medication into the body.
- Suppository: a pellet for inserting into the lower bowel or rectum. A suppository may suit you better if you have nausea or problems with swallowing.
Storing medications
Pain medications need to be stored carefully and kept out of children’s reach.
If you are worried about forgetting to take them, write a note for yourself or set an alarm on your mobile phone rather than leaving the medications out.
Care with other medications
When you are taking medication for pain, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about taking any other medications.
- Many cold pills and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications can be taken along with analgesics with no harmful effects. However, some cold medications contain pain relievers so a lower dose of pain medication may be needed.
- Medications for colds, menstrual pain, headaches and joint or muscle aches contain a mixture of drugs, including aspirin. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy should avoid aspirin, because it increases the risk of bleeding into the stomach or intestines.
- Over-the-counter medications for allergies may cause drowsiness as can some pain medications. Taking them together can make it dangerous to drive or to operate machinery.
