What should I know about analgesics?
By Terry Mason
An analgesic is a medication that
primarily relieves pain. There are several types of analgesics,
including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs. They all
work in different ways.
Both acetaminophen and aspirin, which is an NSAID, are used to relieve the pain of mild to moderate headaches. They are commonly combined with caffeine. Caffeine has some pain-relieving action and also aids in getting more aspirin into the bloodstream.
Other NSAIDs, such as naproxen, are used to treat both tension-type and migraine headaches. With migraines, they can reduce the pain of an attack and end an attack sooner. Naproxen is often the first choice for treating migraine headaches. Several studies have shown it is effective, has few side effects, and is generally safe to use.
Stronger analgesics, including narcotics, can relieve more severe pain. However, they also have more serious side effects. For this reason, they are usually reserved for the more severe headaches.
Your response to one type of analgesic may not be the same as someone else's. Also, your response will vary from type to type and even from one medicine to another of the same type. Therefore, choosing a medication that works for you may involve trying several different types before the right one is found.
Most NSAIDs are taken by mouth. However, other forms are available. Indomethacin, for instance, can be taken as a rectal suppository. Ketorolac can be found in a cartridge needle unit for self-injection into the muscle. Do not take more than the recommended maximum dosages of NSAIDs.
When you take aspirin or acetaminophen, you need to observe the following cautions:
Both acetaminophen and aspirin, which is an NSAID, are used to relieve the pain of mild to moderate headaches. They are commonly combined with caffeine. Caffeine has some pain-relieving action and also aids in getting more aspirin into the bloodstream.
Other NSAIDs, such as naproxen, are used to treat both tension-type and migraine headaches. With migraines, they can reduce the pain of an attack and end an attack sooner. Naproxen is often the first choice for treating migraine headaches. Several studies have shown it is effective, has few side effects, and is generally safe to use.
Stronger analgesics, including narcotics, can relieve more severe pain. However, they also have more serious side effects. For this reason, they are usually reserved for the more severe headaches.
Your response to one type of analgesic may not be the same as someone else's. Also, your response will vary from type to type and even from one medicine to another of the same type. Therefore, choosing a medication that works for you may involve trying several different types before the right one is found.
Most NSAIDs are taken by mouth. However, other forms are available. Indomethacin, for instance, can be taken as a rectal suppository. Ketorolac can be found in a cartridge needle unit for self-injection into the muscle. Do not take more than the recommended maximum dosages of NSAIDs.
When you take aspirin or acetaminophen, you need to observe the following cautions:
- Do not take more than 1,000 mg of aspirin or acetaminophen at the time of a headache.
- Do not take more than 4,000 mg of aspirin or acetaminophen a day.
- Do not use aspirin or acetaminophen more than 3 days a week. Both can cause rebound headaches if they are used more than that.
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