Side Effects of Painkiller Drugs
The painkiller drugs or pain medications are widely used drugs for getting relief from pain. The pain medications have over the time proved beneficial in bringing much needed relief from pain due to surgeries, back injuries, arthritis, and migraine etc. Apart from its pain relieving properties, painkiller drugs have potential to cause addiction and have various side effects. The painkiller drugs reduce pain either by suppressing the formation of chemicals in body that cause pain or by binding to the opioid receptors of Central Nervous System (CNS).
Classification
The painkiller drugs are classified mainly into two types: Non-Narcotic and Narcotic.
Non-Narcotic painkiller drugs: The Non-Narcotic type includes the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). The NSAIDs work by stopping the formation of chemicals that cause pain in the body. Some of the common painkillers under NSAID type are Ibuprophen and acetaminophen.
Narcotic painkiller drugs: Narcotic painkiller drugs can be further divided into opiates and opioids. Opiates are narcotic opioid alkaloids found naturally in poppy plant. Opioids are chemical substances that bind to opioid receptors in CNS. Opioids are used in medications for their analgesic property to get relief from pain. However, the opioids also have potential to cause addiction.
The painkiller drugs also loosely include Paracetamol, Tricyclic antidepressants, and Anticonvulsants.
Medical Use of Painkillers
The painkiller drugs are mostly used for their pain relieving properties. The most common painkiller is Aspirin which is used to cure minor pains, aches, to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. Aspirin is also used for its anti-clotting effect. Small doses of it are used for long term to prevent heart attack, strokes, and blood clot formation. Painkillers are mostly used to cure minor aches, headache, muscular ache, tooth ache, back ache, joint pains, arthritis, migraine, and in recovering from surgery. The painkillers are also used to treat pain due to inflammation.
Side Effects
Addiction
Apart from its analgesic properties, the painkillers can also cause severe addiction due to the feeling of euphoria they create. Many Over-The-Counter (OTC) and Prescription painkillers are abused due to addiction. When used under prescription, painkillers reduce pain but when abused it can have several adverse effects on health. Many people get addicted to painkillers particularly after surgery as they take painkillers for long term to numb the pain but develop tolerance and require higher doses every time. The patient can not cope up with the withdrawal symptoms and becomes dependent on the effects which the painkiller gives.
Cardiovascular Effects
Researches have shown that painkillers use can lead to cardiovascular complications, slowing down of heart rate, and even possible heart attack (myocardial infarction). Taking more than prescribed amount of painkillers can cause fluctuations in the heart rate. The possible side effects of painkillers on heart include thrombosis (blood clot) and stroke.
Constipation
Painkillers can also cause constipation among the persons taking them under prescription. Some laxative substances should be used while using painkillers. Patients should ensure that they take high fibrous diet and consume lot of water and other liquids while using painkillers.
Consuming painkillers containing opioids can even cause mental side effects like hallucinations, confusion, nightmares etc. Patients should consult the doctor before taking painkiller medications and take medications in prescribed amount.
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Health said,
February 21, 2010 @ 10:09 am
Your blog is very interesting and informative. The uses and side effects of painkillers, is essayed in a simple language. If the pain is less, we can use hot water fomentation. It is better to avoid painkillers, unless necessary. Thanks.
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February 26, 2010 @ 5:30 am
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March 1, 2010 @ 12:40 am
These drugs are prescribed for pain relief.They all require a doctor’s prescription and are prescribed for moderate to severe pain.
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March 6, 2010 @ 6:15 am
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shilpa said,
March 13, 2010 @ 6:50 am
Thanks for your update. It’s not only about eating at the right time that matters but eating different kinds of food as well.
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Cindy said,
March 23, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
I wish one could rely on the body’s natural pain killing mechanism. This is especially true after a tough workout.
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April 14, 2010 @ 11:52 am
There are many natural alternatives to pharmaceutical pain killers which don’t have the nasty side effects commercial drugs often induce
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April 20, 2010 @ 11:57 am
there are usually side effect for most things and some with get them worse then others so its best to use caution. if you need a pain killer take one but if you take one at the slightest sign of pain i think that is wrong
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April 22, 2010 @ 3:57 am
Aside from addiction, too much of it, especially without a doctor’s prescription, can lead to its ineffectiveness and higher levels of stress. It is important that before taking painkillers, it is important to consult a physician first. Who knows, maybe rest is all you need and not a painkiller.
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April 26, 2010 @ 5:39 am
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May 15, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
There are positives and negatives, but it does pain medication will be needed by medical i think
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June 1, 2010 @ 8:26 am
i’ve never experienced after affects of pain killers myself but i have few friends who get very sleepy when they take them
Cena said,
June 10, 2010 @ 2:37 pm
I know that this is used for the treatment of drug addiction or as a painkiller however, I have also heard that there are a lot of side effects.
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June 11, 2010 @ 1:40 am
I think Methamphetamine is one of the narcotics pain killers, pretty addictive.
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June 24, 2010 @ 5:45 am
Conratulation,Thanks for sharing with us. I’ts usefull for me .thanx for posting , waiting for your next post.
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June 25, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
Could there be any painkiller which used to have strong side effects earlier; now with the help medical advancement any specific ingradient is used in it to reduce the possibility of the side effects. That specific element may or may not be expensive. That painkiller is likely to have an effect on everyone, though the usage of that element reduces that chance.The effect would be more adverse on people with certain physical problems; the consumption of the more of that medicines could be detrimental to them, even causing potential death of that person. So a guidline is necessary on the usage of the procurement of that drug. As such, there can be legal instructions that the manufacturer will have to have certain compulsory instructions over the medicine cover.I want the name of the kind of painkiller. I am a writer and in relation to a story I need the name of the painkiller.
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July 6, 2010 @ 6:23 am
I am addicted to these painkillers after I had a major operation a few years ago. I can start and stop when I please but find it hard to sleep without them. I have been known to take 8 at a time to help me sleep but have started getting blood clots down below when i go to the loo. I know it’s not my period and Im getting worried. Is there any link to this with overuse of pain killers. Please help.
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July 15, 2010 @ 3:22 am
The painkiller drugs are mostly used for their pain relieving properties. The most common painkiller is Aspirin which is used to cure minor pains, aches, to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication.
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