Pain medicines are taken in several ways, depending on the type of medicine and the form that it is available in.
Learn more about:
- The different ways of taking medicine
- Using medicines safely
- Tips for using pain medicines safely
- Travelling with medicines
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The different ways of taking medicine
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tablet or capsule |
This is the most common form of pain medicine. It is usually swallowed with water. |
|
liquid |
This may be an option if you have trouble swallowing tablets or for convenience. |
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lozenge |
This is sucked on the inside of your cheeks and gums until it dissolves. |
|
injection |
A needle is inserted either into a vein, into a muscle or under the skin. |
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skin patch |
This is stuck on your skin and gradually releases medicine into the body. The patch only needs to be changed every few days. |
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subcutaneous infusion |
Medicine is slowly injected under the skin using a small plastic tube and portable pump. This can be given over many hours or days. |
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intravenous infusion |
Medicine is slowly injected into a vein over many hours or days using a small plastic tube and pump. You press a button on the pump to release a set dose of medicine. This is called patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). It is used in hospitals under the supervision of a pain specialist. |
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intrathecal injection or infusion |
Liquid medicine is delivered into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. This is commonly used to treat the most severe cancer pain. |
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suppository |
A pellet is put into the bottom (rectum). The pellet breaks down and the medicine is absorbed by the body. This may be suitable if you have nausea or trouble swallowing. |
Using medicines safely
All medicines may have side effects, particularly if they are not taken as directed. Let your doctor, nurse or pharmacist know if you’re taking any other medicines at the same time as your pain relief. This includes all prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, herbs and other supplements. Some medicines may react with each other, causing them to stop working properly or creating harmful side effects. Some effects to keep in mind include:
- Many pills for colds and flu, and other over-the-counter medicines, can be taken with pain medicines without any harmful effects. However, if they contain paracetamol or anti-inflammatories this counts towards your total daily intake, and you may need to take a lower dose of standalone pain medicine.
- Medicines for colds, menstrual (period) pain, headaches, and joint or muscle aches often contain a mixture of drugs, including aspirin. People receiving chemotherapy should avoid aspirin because it increases the risk of internal bleeding. Aspirin may also cause minor cuts to bleed a lot and take longer to stop bleeding (clot).
- Over-the-counter medicines for allergies may cause drowsiness, as can some pain medicines. Taking them together can make it dangerous to drive and to operate machinery.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) collects information about medicines and medical devices that haven’t worked well. You can search the Database of Adverse Event Notifications (DAEN).
Tips for using pain medicines safely
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist for written information about your pain medicines: what they are for; when and how to take them; possible side effects and how to manage them; and possible interactions with other medicines, vitamins or herbal and natural remedies.
- Follow the directions and only take the recommended dose. This will reduce the risk of misuse or accidental overdose.
- Keep medicines in their original packaging so you and other people always know what they’re for. Or ask your pharmacist to put your tablets and capsules into a labelled blister pack.
- Store medicines in a safe place that is out of reach of children.
- Take precautions when managing or storing your medicines to avoid potentially dangerous mix-ups.
- Remind yourself when to take your medicines by writing a note, or setting an alarm or reminder on your phone.
- Talk to your GP about having a pharmacist carry out a home medicines review. This can help ensure you take all your medicines safely.
- Check the expiry dates of medicines. If they are near or past their expiry, see your doctor for a new prescription.
- Take expired medicines or any that are no longer needed to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
- Check with your health care team whether it’s safe to take complementary therapies, such as nutritional supplements, with your pain medicine.
- Find out more about your medicines by calling the NPS MedicineWise Medicines Line on 1300 633 424.
- Let your health care team know of any side effects. Call the Adverse Medicine Events Line on 1300 134 237 if you suspect you’ve had a reaction to any kind of medicine. If you need urgent assistance, call 000 or go to a hospital emergency department.
Travelling with medicines
It’s possible to take prescription medicines overseas for your own personal use, but it’s best to follow the Australian government’s recommendations. As these may change from time to time, check the current recommendations and restrictions before you travel at TravelSECURE.
A reasonable amount of medicine and medical equipment is allowed under powder, liquid, aerosol and gel restrictions in carry-on baggage. Have any medicines you need during the flight ready for screening at the airport. Pack the rest of your medicines in your checked baggage.
To help you prepare for travelling with medicines:
- ask your doctor if you need to change your medicine schedule to allow for time differences and if there are limits on the amount of medicines you can take overseas
- check with the embassies of the countries you’re visiting and with the travel advice at smarttraveller.gov.au to make sure your medicine is legal there
- make sure you have enough medicines to cover the whole time you’re away, and pack a few extra doses in case you are delayed
- carry a letter from your doctor outlining each medicine, how much you’ll be taking, and any equipment such as hypodermic needles or gel packs, and stating that the medicine is for your personal use
- keep medicines in their original packaging so they can be easily identified, and make sure the name on the medicines matches the name on the passport
- call the Travelling with PBS Medicines Enquiry Line on 1800 500 147for more information.
Additional resources
This information has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Working Group initiative. We thank the reviewers of this information: Dr Tim Hucker, Clinical Lead, Pain Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and Lecturer, Monash University, VIC; Carole Arbuckle, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Anne Burke, Co-Director, Psychology, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA, and President Elect, The Australian Pain Society; Kathryn Collins, Co-Director, Psychology, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA; A/Prof Roger Goucke, Head, Department of Pain Management, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Director, WA Statewide Pain Service, and Clinical A/Prof, The University of Western Australia, WA; Chris Hayward, Consumer; Prof Melanie Lovell, Senior Staff Specialist, Palliative Care, HammondCare Centre for Learning and Research, Clinical A/Prof, Sydney Medical School, and Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Linda Magann, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Palliative Care and Peritonectomy Palliative Care, St George Hospital, NSW; Tara Redemski, Senior Physiotherapist, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, QLD.
Thank you to the Australian Adult Cancer Pain Management Guideline Working Party, Improving Palliative Care through Clinical Trials (ImPaCCT), and the Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care (University of Technology Sydney), whose work contributed to the development of the previous editions of this booklet. Thank you also to the original writers, Dr Melanie Lovell and Prof Frances Boyle AM.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
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