Conventional Medication for Pain and Their Side Effects
- livingwellhomeopat
- Jun 9
- 2 min read
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Examples: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), Aspirin
Use: Great for inflammation-related pain, like arthritis flair-ups or muscle issues.
DANGERS:
Stomach irritation or ulcers, especially with long-term use.
Increased risk of heart attack or stroke (higher with prolonged, high doses).
Kidney damage if overused or in people with existing kidney issues.
About 1 - 2% of regular users develop serious GI bleeding annually.
Acetaminophen
Example: Tylenol
Use: General pain relief, often for headaches or mil chronic pain/ less effective for inflammation
DANGERS:
Liver damage if you exceed 4,000 mg/day or mix with alcohol. It’s the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US, per the FDA.
Opioids
Examples: Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Tramadol (a milder option)
Use: Severe pain (e.g., post-surgical or cancer-related) when other meds fail; sometimes used for chronic conditions like fibromyalgia.
DANGERS:
Addiction risk - about 8 - 12% of chronic pain patients develop dependent.
Overdose potential, especially if tolerance builds and doses creep up.
Side effects like constipation, drowsiness or breathing problems.
Long-term us can paradoxically worsen pain (hyperalgesia)
Antidepressants
Examples: Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Amitripyline (older tricyclic)
Use: Nerve-related pain (neuropathy) or fibromyalgia; they tweak brain chemicals to dampen pain signals.
DANGERS:
Drowsiness, dry mouth, or weight gain
Duloxetinen can raise blood pressure or casuse liver issues.
Withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly - up to 50% of users report the with tricycles.
Anticonvulsants
Examples: Gabapentin (Neurontin), Pregabalin (Lyrica)
Use: Nerve pain, like sciatica or shingles aftermath; calms operative nerves.
DANGERS:
Dizziness or fatigue - 20 - 30% of users feel this, per clinical trials.
Weight gain or swelling in some.
Small risk of dependency with Pregabalin; misuse has spiked recently.
Topical Agents
Examples: Lidocaine patches, Capsaicin cream
Use: Localized pain, like arthritis in a specific joint or post-herpetic neuralgia
DANGERS:
Skin irritation or burning (especially capsaicin)
Lidocaine overdose if too many patches are used - rare but serious (heart rhythm issues)
PLEASE NOTE:
Combo Risks: Mixing these (e.g. NSAIDS with opioids) can amplify side effects - like GI bleeding plus sedation.
Individual Variation: Age, other health conditions (e.g. Kidney disease), or genetics can make some drugs riskier for certain people.
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