Pain Management

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. Pain relievers are called analgesics.

TYPES OF ANALGESICS
Analgesics are so-named due to their ability to alleviate pain. Caution - most analgesic drugs have either minor or severe side effects. Ask your Pharmacist about these side effects.

NSAIDs
• NSAIDs are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, which are used to relieve pain, inflammation and fever - adults and to help reduce the incidence of blood clot formation.
• A number of risk factors are associated with NSAIDs e.g. stomach ulceration. Care needs to be taken when recommending this type of analgesic.

ASPIRIN
• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a drug from the NSAIDs group (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
• It is used in the treatment of pain and fever.
• It is also used to treat acute rheumatism and to thin the blood and prevent abnormal blood clot formation.

PARACETAMOL
• Paracetamol is an antipyretic (fever reducing) and analgesic (pain relieving) drug. Unlike aspirin it has little anti-inflammatory activity.

CODEINE
• Codeine is a drug that belongs to the opioid analgesics group of drugs that includes other drugs such as dextromoramide, methadone, morphine and pethidine.
• It is used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain, diarrhoea and cough.

TREATMENT OPTIONS
If any pain persists it is advisable to seek the advice of a Doctor for a correct diagnosis and treatment. There are many analgesics, which can be prescribed by a Doctor, which are very effective.


PHARMACIST'S ADVICE
Ask your MedAux Pharmacist for advice. Remember that if pain persists to see your Doctor.
1. Follow any diet hints suggested for the particular ailment causing the pain e.g. arthritis.
2. Make sure that you are taking the correct analgesic for your particular pain problem.
3. Ask your Pharmacist for the correct dose and how to take the suggested product.
4. Never increase the dose without seeking correct advice.
5. Never take analgesics, which have been prescribed, for another person.
6. Before taking an analgesic consider other non-drug options e.g. hot water bottle or a cold pack for the forehead.
7. Consider taking some supplements if the diet is inadequate. Prolonged use of aspirin may decrease the body's levels of Vitamin C.

Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age unless specified by a Doctor.