When I decided to check the Internet for information on pain and available options to relieve it, I was astonished at the fact that top search results linked me only to resources, related to labor pain during child birth. Is it the only pain possible? That was my first question.
Later I understood the answer. Searching the web for useful and easy-understandable information, capable to help in choosing right pain reliever, may be associated with no less labor than giving birth to a child.
Though I have always considered World Wide Web to be the largest public library, its section on pain relievers appeared to me as the one with not for public use stamp. Indeed, all the information is available and open, but to orientate in it, you have to be a doctor, a pharmacist or at least a writer like me, having only two options: either to find and prepare the necessary material or die.
Keeping in mind an image of a person, looking for the information in the Internet to understand his personal pain and to find appropriate relieving medications, I decided to contribute my own mite and set some pointers and direction signs on the territory of pain relievers.
First of all, I would like to divide the whole area into two basic sections: prescription medications and non-prescription or over-the-counter pills.
Prescription pain relievers' section is a kind of restricted area and people can get there only with a special permission from doctors (medical prescription). The most widely-used and known medications from this class as well as their key characteristics and warning notes are given below.
Opioids
What is it? This is a group of medications, having strong narcotic effect. Codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone and oxymorphone are examples of opioids or opiates.
When are they used? - Opioids are used to relieve severe pain, usually related to serious injuries or cancer and post-operative pain.
How does it work? Opioids work in the Central Nervous System, blocking the feeling of pain or altering it.
What is important to know? Opioids can cause physical addiction, which has no less harmful impact on the organism than the most severe pain. That is why it is obligatory to use them only in accordance to medical prescription and under medical supervising.
What is it? Ultram is a brand name for generic drug tramadol. It is not a non-steroidal anti-inflammation drug (NSAID).
When is it used? Ultram (tramadol) is used to relieve moderate to moderate-severe pain.
How does it work? In general, Ultram works very similar to opioids, blocking the feeling of pain, without causing addiction. What is important to know? Ultram (tramadol) does not irritate stomach and does not increase the risk of ulceration like traditional NSAIDs.
Celebrex / Vioxx / Bextra
What is it? - Celebrex / Vioxx / Bextra are the brand names for celecoxib / valdecoxib / rofecoxib. They are COX-2 inhibitors with anti-inflammation effect.
When are they used? These drugs are used to decrease fever, inflammation and to relieve pain related to arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and menstrual cramps.
How do they work? COX-2 is a special enzyme, which participates in producing prostaglandin. The latter causes inflammation, fever and pain, as a result. By blocking COX-2, Celebrex / Vioxx / Bextra reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
What is important to know? Though the said drugs are extremely effective in relieving pain and they do not cause stomach ulceration, they have been removed form the US market in 2004 because of increased risk of cardio-vascular disease, which can be triggered by long-termed usage of COX-2 inhibitors.
Hopefully, the issues, discussed above, will be a sort of lighthouses for you in surfing the ocean of information about prescription pain relievers.
Nick
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