Pain management: learning more about anti-inflammatories and painkillers

Also known as analgesics, painkillers were developed to reduce pain. They act directly on the nervous system and interrupt the pain circuit. But what are the different types of painkillers and how should they be taken?

The different types of painkillers

According to their potency of action, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified analgesic drugs into 3 levels.

Firstly, there are level I painkillers, which are prescribed by a doctor for mild to moderate pain. These include paracetamol, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. These are available over the counter from your Illicopharma online pharmacy and by prescription.

Then there are the level II painkillers, which are indicated for moderate to severe pain or pain that level I painkillers do not manage to relieve properly. These are certain weak opiates, alone or in combination with paracetamol or aspirin (codeine, dihydrocodeine, tramadol).

Finally, there are the level III analgesics, which are intended for severe pain that the other two types of analgesics are unable to relieve. These are generally strong opioids, including morphine and its derivatives (pethidine, hydromorphone, etc.).

It should be noted that level II and III analgesics can lead to dependence.

Certain drugs are used to combat pain and to promote the action of analgesics, such as local anaesthetics, antispasmodics, certain antidepressants, muscle relaxants, anxiolytics, corticoids and antiepileptics.

Advice and precautions for use

As with all medicines, certain precautions are required when taking painkillers, whatever their level. A few basic rules should be observed when using this type of medication. You should know that :

• Taking a painkiller immediately relieves pain more quickly.
• In the case of chronic pain, taking a painkiller at regular intervals calms the pain more effectively than taking it when the pain occurs
• For a faster effect, "lyoc" or orodispersible tablets are preferable.
• Painkillers should not be taken for more than 5 days in a row without a doctor's approval. However, it should not be stopped too soon.
• It is quite possible to combine the actions of two different painkillers, provided that the prescribed doses are respected and the doses are crossed. However, it is strongly advised against mixing several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• The dosage is essential for the analgesics to act effectively (for an adult, 1 g for aspirin and paracetamol, 400 mg for ibuprofen).