Benefits and risks of pain management medications
All medications strong enough to be effective in pain management also carry some degree of risk. Taking a medication does not mean that you will incur its side effects; these are risks, not certainties. Below is a table of medications and possible risks. Your pain management team will discuss risks and benefits of any medication prescribed.
| Medication | Benefits | Risks |
| NSAID's Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen |
These drugs control mild to moderate pain. Some can be bought without a prescription | These medicines can cause stomach upset. They may cause bleeding in the stomach, reduce blood clotting, and in large doses over time they can cause kidney problems. Acetaminophen does not cause these side effects, but high doses of it can damage the liver. Drugs that include salicylates, ibuprofen and acetaminophen may affect blood platelets. Patients should always check with their physician before using these non-prescription medications. |
|---|---|---|
| Opioids morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, codeine, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, methadone |
Highly effective in controlling moderate to severe pain and do not cause bleeding | Opioids cause constipation, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting. Opioids sometime cause problems with urination or itching. They may also slow breathing, especially when they are first given, but this is unusual in people who take opioids on a regular basis for pain. |
| Antiepileptics Carbamezapine, Gabapentin, Lamotrigine |
Antiepileptics help control tingling or burning pain that results from nerve injury | They may damage the liver and lower the number of red and white cells in the blood. It is important to have regular blood tests to check for these effects. | Antidepressants Amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, Trazodone |
Help control tingling or burning pain from damaged nerves. They also improve sleep. | May cause dry mouth, sleepiness and constipation. Some cause dizziness and lightheadedness when a person stands up suddenly. |
| Steroids Prednisone, dexamethasone |
Steroids (also known as corticosteroids) help relieve pain caused by inflammation and bone pain. Steroids increase appetite. | They may cause fluid to build up in the body. May also irritate the stomach, cause bleeding, increase blood sugar levels, and occasionally, cause muscle weakness and thrush. Some patients experience confusion when they take steroids. |