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Non-opioid AnalgesicsA variety of non-opioid analgesics are available. Several are available in prescription and non-prescription strengths. Prescription strength formulations contain more active ingredient per dose than OTC formulations. OTC analgesics are reasonably safe to take for short periods of time, but their labels caution against taking them for more than 7 to 10 days to treat pain. A doctor should be consulted if symptoms worsen or do not go away. Non-Steroidal Ant-Inflammatory Drugs Most nonopioid analgesigs are classified as Non-Steroidal Ant-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are used to treat mild to moderate pain and may be combined with opioids to treat moderate to severe pain. NSAIDs not only relieve pain, but they also reduce the inflammation that often accompanies and worsens pain. NSAIDs tend to irritate the stomach's lining and cause digestive upset (such as heartburn, indigestion, nausea, bloating, diarrhea), peptic ulcers, and bleeding in the digestive tract. Coxibs (COX-2 inhibitors), a new type of NSAIDs, are less likely to irritate stomach and cause bleeding than other NSAIDs. Taking NSAIDs with food anf using antacids may help prevent stomach irritation. Proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole) or histamine-2 blockers (such as famotidine), which are used to treat peptic ulcers, can also help prevent stomach problems due to NSAIDs. NSAIDs vary in how quickly they work and how long they relieve the pain. Although NSAIDs are about equally effective, people respond to them differently . Aspirin Aspirin has been used for about 100 years. Aspirin is taken by mouth and provides 4 to 6 hours of moderate pain relief. Because aspirin can irritate the stomach, it may be combined with an antacid to reduce this effect. Enteric-coated aspirin is designed to pass through the stomach intact and dissolve in the small intestine, thus minimizing direct irritation of the stomach. However, anteric-coated aspirin may be absorbed erratically. If food and anteric-coated aspirin are ingested at about the same time, the aspirin is not absorbed as quickly because food delays the emptying of the stomach. Consequently, pain relief is delayed. In very high doses, aspirin can cause serious side effects such as abnormal breathing. One of the first signs of an overdose is noise in the ears (tinnitus). Children and teenagers who have or may have influenza or chickenpox must not take aspirin because they could develop Reye's syndrome. Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Naproxen NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Naproxen are generally belived to be gentler on the stomach than aspirin, although few studies have compared the drugs. Like aspirin, these drugs can cause digestive upset, ulcers, and bleeding in the digestive tract. People should not take these drugs with anticoagulants (such as warfalin) except under a doctor's close supervision. Coxibs (COX-2 Inhibitors) Coxibs, such as celecoxib, are new type of NSAIDs. Other NSAIDs block two enzymes: COX-1, which is involved in the production of the prostaglandins that protect the stomach and play a crucial role in blood clotting, and COX-2, wich is involved in the production of the prostaglandins that promote inflammation. Coxibs tend to block only COX-2 enzymes. Thus, coxibs are as effective as other NSAIDs in the treatment of pain and inflammation. But coxibs are less likely to damage the stomach, to cause nausea, bloating, heartburn, and to interfere with clotting than are other NSAIDs. Because of these differences, coxibs are useful for people who cannot tolerate other NSAIDs and for people who are at high risk of complications from use of other NSAIDs. Such people include older people, people who have a history of ulcers, and those who muat take an analgesic for a long time. Acetaminophen This drug is roughly comparable to aspirin in its potential to relieve pain and lower a fever. But unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen has virtually no useful anti-inflammatory activity, does not affect blood's ability to clot, and has almost no adverse effects on the stomach. How acetaminophen works is not clearly understood. Acetaminophen is taken by mouth or suppository, and its effects generally last 4 to 6 hours. High doses can lead to liver damage, which may be irreversible. People with a liver disorder should use lower doses than usually taken. People who consume large amounts of alcohol are probably at highest risk of liver damage from overuse of acetaminophen. People who are taking acetaminophen and stop eating because of a bad cold, influenza, or another reason may be more vulnerable to liver damage. Price-RX.com offers you price comparison of the following non-opioid pain relief prescription medications used to relieve pain: Central Analgesics
Analgesics with Acetaminophen
Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
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