Pain Relief Pharmacy

There is a wide range of painkillers (analgesics) available without prescription from chemists and supermarkets these days. There are 3 main types: Paracetamol; Anti-inflammatories – Ibuprofen and aspirin; and Weak opiates – Codeine in combination with other painkillers.

These kinds of medicines are often sold in combinations such as paracetamol with codeine eg. Solpadeine®.

Always make sure you know what medicines are in combined preparations and read the information leaflet provided in the packet before taking the medicine. NEVER exceed the recommended dose of any medicine.

Brand name medicines are always more expensive than non-proprietary medicines but contain the same compounds eg. Panadol® which is paracetamol and Nurofen® which is ibuprofen.

Opioids are painkillers used for moderate and severe pain. They are used for pain after surgery. They are effective at controlling cancer pain. They can be used for chronic non-cancer pain. Codeine is a weak opioid often used for moderate pain. Morphine is a strong opioid used for severe pain. There are other strong opioids such as pethidine (now rarely used) and oxycodone.

Many people have chronic pain (about 12% of the population). Everyday painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, do not help everyone with pain. Pain can prevent people functioning normally and their lives can be badly affected by pain. Opioids can lessen the pain in some people and enable them to lead a more normal life.

Some people are considered by their doctor to be suitable to try strong opioids. You may try them and find that they do not work for you. Your doctor will prescribe opioids for you in increasing doses to see if your pain can be reduced. They will not work for everyone and there may be side effects, such as constipation, drowsiness and nausea.

Addiction: Addiction is the need to take a drug repeatedly for a feeling of pleasure and well-being it gives, even though it can cause harm. This is very different from taking medicine in controlled amounts for pain. It is very rare for people prescribed opioids by their doctor for pain relief to become addicted even if they are taken for long periods of time.