There are many ways to treat pain — massage, hot and cold compresses and exercise are among them — but if you’re looking for something that acts quickly, painkillers can be helpful. However, as with all medication, it’s possible to use them incorrectly and do more harm than good. Learn more about what painkillers do, and how to make taking them more effective and safer.
Types of painkillers
While there are a wide variety of painkillers, here are three of the most common 1:
- Paracetamol: Panado is a common South African brand, but it’s also sold under most pharmacy generic brands as paracetamol.
- Aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): Aspirin is sold locally as Disprin and a widely available NSAID is Nurofen, which contains ibuprofen.
- Opioids: These are split into three categories: low, moderate and high efficacy opioids. Examples are codeine, tramadol and pethidine.
How do painkillers work?
- Paracetamol: interferes with prostaglandins, substances your body makes that sensitises it to pain. Its antipyretic (fever reducing) effect is thought to come from its effect on the heat regulating centres of the brain 2.
- Aspirin & Ibuprofen: aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, “blocks the production of chemicals responsible for pain, swelling and inflammation” 3. Ibuprofen also blocks the production of chemicals in the body that are responsible for pain, fever, swelling and inflammation 5.
- Opioids: These are a wide selection of painkillers from codeine to morphine. They work to suppress the opioid centres in the brain, in a similar way that naturally produced opioids do. This is what makes them so addictive, and opioids should be taken with caution, under the instruction of a doctor 6.
What do these painkillers tackle?
As each type of painkiller tackles a different kind of pain, it’s wise to know where to start, what to take and what not to take when you’re feeling ill.
- Paracetamol is a good place to start when you have pain, as it’s fairly all purpose and is especially good with headaches. The maximum dosage is 4g per day (for adults), and this should not be exceeded, or taken with alcohol as the effects can be devastating. Paracetamol can be used to reduce fever, and tackle non-inflammation related headaches.
- Aspirin is widely used for its blood-thinning effects, and as a low dose general painkiller 4. You can also use it to fight fever, but never give it to children under 18 years of age .
- NSAIDs such as ibuprofen contain anti-inflammatories, and “are therefore widely used for dental pain, dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation), headache, bone pain, trauma, arthritis” 4.
- Opioids should be administered or prescribed by a doctor. They work on specific opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and are used to treat excessive or chronic pain, sometimes in conjunction with another type of painkiller.
It is important to remember that painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen are not safe for everyone. They can be dangerous if not used properly or used by a person with other conditions. Always use with caution and do not use for extended periods without consulting a doctor. Painkillers are one of the boons of modern medicine, but misusing or abusing them comes with consequences. Always educate yourself on the potential side effects of whatever you intend to take, and speak to your doctor if you need advice.
Sources:
- The different groups of painkillers: http://www.health24.com/Medical/Pain-Management/Different-painkilling-drugs/The-different-groups-of-painkillers-20120721
- Paracetamol: http://www.health24.com/Medical/Meds-and-you/Medication/Paracetamol-Client-20120721
- Aspirin: http://www.health24.com/Medical/Meds-and-you/Medication/Aspirin-Client-20120721
- Using the wrong painkillers?: http://www.health24.com/Medical/Pain-Management/News/Using-the-wrong-painkillers-20120721
- Ibuprofen: http://www.health24.com/Medical/Meds-and-you/Medication/Ibuprofen-Client-20120721
- Opioids: http://www.health24.com/Medical/Pain-Management/Opioids/Opioids-20120721
