Types of Painkillers

Many different types of painkillers exist under various marketed or trade names including Oxycontin, Oxycodone, hydrocodone, Ibuprofen and acetaminophen.  Not all painkillers are addictive and in fact, most types of painkillers are not addictive, especially if they are taken according to the manufacturer’s directions.  The most common types of painkillers include NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), narcotics and non-narcotic paracetamol based analgesics commonly known as acetaminophen.  Narcotics are the main source of painkiller addiction and have the greatest potential for abuse.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are a type of nonnarcotic painkiller that is not typically habit forming and does not have a high potential for abuse.  These medications provide pain relief by reducing inflammation and lowering fever.  NSAIDs are commonly used to treat pain that is the result of an infection, swelling and inflammation.

Although they are not habit forming, NSAIDs can have adverse effects.  They cause the blood to thin and can reduce the ability for the blood to clot which can lead to problems for some people.  NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen are available over the counter and may be taken for mild to moderate pain relief.  Aspirin is also commonly prescribed by physicians to reduce or prevent blockage in the heart of those who are at risk for heart attack.

Non-Narcotic Paracetamol Based Analgesics

This type of painkiller is not habit forming and does not carry a wide potential for abuse.  Also known commonly as acetaminophen or Tylenol, this type of painkiller reduces fever but does not work to reduce inflammation.  Because acetaminophen is not very expensive and it does not thin the blood like ibuprofen or other NSAIDs can, it is a good everyday painkiller.  Acetaminophen is commonly included in various other medications such as sinus medication or cold and flu medicines.

Narcotics

The most widely abused painkillers and those with the highest potential for causing addiction are narcotics.  Narcotics are also the strongest types of painkillers available and must be prescribed by a doctor or medical professional.  Opioids are the most common narcotic painkiller and include three distinct divisions: natural opiates, semi-synthetic opiates and synthetic opiates.

Natural opiates are made from opium or directly derived from the poppy plant.  The most common natural opiates include morphine and codeine.  These are often prescribed for the treatment of pain that follows surgery but they are not typically prescribed long-term because they have a very significant potential for causing addiction and carry the highest potential for abuse.

Semi-synthetic opiates are those which are derived from the poppy plant and then manipulated to include both natural and synthetic forms of the drug.  These include the illegal narcotic heroin that is widely available on the street and the prescribed narcotic oxycodone which is commonly given to patients for the treatment of pain associated with injury or serious illness such as cancer.

Synthetic opiates are called opioids.  These include Demerol, methadone and fentanyl.  These painkillers also carry a wide potential for abuse and addiction especially when they are not used as prescribed or they are used for recreational purposes.  Opioids and other opiates all carry a potential for abuse as the direct result of the high that the individual who takes them will feel.