Pain Relievers—Medication Errors

Medicines cure infectious diseases, prevent problems from chronic diseases, and ease pain. But medicines can also cause harmful reactions if not used correctly. Errors can happen in the hospital, at the doctor’s office, at the pharmacy, or at home. You can help prevent errors by

• Knowing your medicines. Keep a list of the names of your medicines, how much you take, and when you take them. Include over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements and herbs. Take this list to all your doctor visits.
• Reading medicine labels and following the directions. Don’t take medications prescribed for someone else.
• Taking extra caution when giving medicines to children.
• Asking questions. If you don’t know the answers to these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Why am I taking this medicine?
• What are the common problems to watch out for?
• What should I do if they occur?
• When should I stop this medicine?
• Can I take this medicine with the other medicines on my list?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• 6 Tips to Avoid Medication Mistakes (Food and Drug Administration)
• How and when to get rid of unused medicines (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Keeping your medications organized (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Medication safety during your hospital stay (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Medication safety: Filling your prescription (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Storing your medicines (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Taking medicine at home – create a routine (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Analgesics, Pain killers, Pain medicines

Pain relievers are medicines that reduce or relieve headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, or other aches and pains. There are many different pain medicines, and each one has advantages and risks. Some types of pain respond better to certain medicines than others. Each person may also have a slightly different response to a pain reliever.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are good for many types of pain. There are two main types of OTC pain medicines: acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are examples of OTC NSAIDs.

If OTC medicines don’t relieve your pain, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Many NSAIDs are also available at higher prescription doses. The most powerful pain relievers are opioids. They are very effective, but they can sometimes have serious side effects. There is also a risk of addiction. Because of the risks, you must use them only under a doctor’s supervision.

There are many things you can do to help ease pain. Pain relievers are just one part of a pain treatment plan.

• Acetaminophen dosing for children (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Ibuprofen dosing for children (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Over-the-counter pain relievers (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pain medications – narcotics (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Taking narcotics for back pain (Medical Encyclopedia)