Which Types of Non Opioid Painkillers Really Work?

Pain is a problem for millions of Americans. It comes in the form of chronic back pain, severe headaches, sports injuries, arthritis, and surgeries. In response, doctors prescribe millions of opioid painkillers every year despite the side effects and risk for addiction. For a healthy recovery, there are many types of non opioid painkillers that work well.

Common Types of Non Opioid Painkillers

Finding an effective treatment is of the utmost concern regarding chronic pain management. This process is unique for each person, and the complexity makes professional help necessary. Before you talk to your doctor, though, it doesn’t hurt to learn more about your options. You might even make a suggestion that your physician hasn’t considered.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common over-the-counter pain relievers. They’re most useful for mild to moderate pain with inflammation and swelling. Because of that, they’re great for treating arthritis, back and neck injuries, muscle strains and sprains, and menstrual cramps.

Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, Advil and Aleve. They work by restricting cyclooxygenase enzymes in the body, including COX-1 and COX-2. These enzymes trigger pain and inflammation.

Tylenol, which contains the drug acetaminophen, is another common over-the-counter pain reliever for mild to moderate pain. It’s ideal for musculoskeletal conditions, skin injuries, headaches, back pain, and osteoarthritis. Experts believe that it works by restricting only the COX-3 enzyme, which targets pain but not inflammation.

Celebrex is a COX-2 inhibitor that contains the drug celecoxib. It only targets the one enzyme, which is more likely to trigger inflammation and pain. For that reason, doctors often recommend it for treating muscle strains and sprains, neck and back injuries, and menstrual cramps. It’s as effective as NSAIDs but better for long-term pain management because it doesn’t cause stomach damage.

Other Types of Non Opioid Painkillers

Although scientists develop some drugs to treat specific conditions, sometimes medications used for other reasons can work as non opioid painkillers, too. Antidepressants and anti-seizure medicines are two examples.

Antidepressants change the chemicals in your body to control pain. The categories include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin, and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants. Each works differently than the other so they may be adequate for various ailments.

Anti-seizure drugs suppress nerve signals to your brain so that the body can’t transmit pain messages well. Because of that, they’re ideal for chronic pain related to fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy.

In addition, corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that can treat lower back pain, migraines, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Muscle relaxants can reduce pain from muscle sprains, strains, and spasms. Topical medications such as lidocaine can be useful for lower back pain, diabetic neuropathy, and osteoarthritis.

Treatment for Opioid Addiction

If you have an opioid addiction and want to switch to non opioid pain management, you need detox and rehab first. Partnering with an opioid detox center in Florida, Beaches Recovery can help you take the first step toward recovery. We offer several levels of addiction rehab too, including:

• Residential drug rehab
• Partial hospitalization program
• Sober living
• Intensive outpatient program
• Mens prescription drug rehab
• Womens prescription drug rehab

Don’t let prescription opioids drag you to the ground. Learn more about the types of non opioid painkillers and how to overcome addiction. Talk to one of Beaches Recovery expert staff members by calling 866.605.0532.