In last week’s blog, we talked about the roots of chronic pain and how pain can manifest in the body. This week, we’re taking a closer look at which medications can potentially help patients suffering from chronic pain, including both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all medication protocol for those living with chronic pain, medication is often the first step to see if the discomfort will subside with minimal intervention. While some drugs can work better for certain types of pain, some patients may need a combination of medications while others may feel little to no relief with these drugs.
Here are a few of the medications that may help with chronic pain relief.
OTC Medications That May Help Chronic Pain
Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs), which include Advil and Motrin, can help some people who suffer from chronic discomfort. These medications, along with Tylenol, may help pain and inflammation associated with an injury, arthritis and other types of pain.
These OTC medications may also be used in combination with certain stronger drugs to be more effective, depending on your unique case. Always advise your physician at your pain clinic about what medications you’re taking.
Prescription Medications for Chronic Pain Relief
If OTC medications don’t provide enough chronic pain relief, there are some medication options that can help treat chronic pain. One of these is a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, which are typically used to treat seizures but have also been successful in treating some types of chronic pain, most notably neuropathic pain and even migraines. Anticonvulsants may influence nerves in the body which can reduce pain.
Antidepressants are another class of drug that can be effective for some forms of chronic pain, including cancer pain, nerve pain, fibromyalgia and even osteoporosis and back pain. Antidepressants may influence the way the brain perceives and controls pain, which can help patients who don’t get total relief from other treatments.
Learn More About Your Medication Options
It may take time to determine which medications, if any, can help alleviate or improve your discomfort. Schedule an appointment at the Summit Spine & Joint Centers pain clinic to discover what options may be available to you for chronic pain relief. Call us at (770) 962-3642 or complete our online form. And stay tuned for next week’s blog, when we’ll look at targeted procedures that may help alleviate your chronic pain!