What are Painkillers?
Painkillers are being used in this world from so long to treat the pain of different intensities. Painkillers are basically drugs to relieve from you pain and painkillers are also called analgesics. Analgesia means the action t relieve from pain. The intensity of painkillers can be different in every drug. Some painkillers have the power to deal with moderate level of pain and some painkillers are strong enough to deal the high severe level of pain.
Commonly the painkillers are of based on action with central nervous system. Painkillers stop the pain signals to reach to the brain, coming from the area of pain to the brain. In this manner the brain cannot perceive or respond to the pain.
The powerful form of painkillers is known as opioid painkillers and the common examples are Oxycodone and Morphine.
Types of Painkillers
Majorly there are 3 types of painkillers.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are shortly known as NSAIDs, this is a type of painkillers. The main distinction of NSAIDs is that they are non narcotic analgesics. NSAIDs are very potent in pain relieving and in reducing fever. These are anti-inflammatory also, when used in high doses. NSAIDs works for pain relief by blocking the cyclooxygenase enzyme, in short COX.
The common drugs of this type available which are: Aspirin, Naproxen Sodium, Oxaprozin and ibuprofen. These drugs are commonly availed over the counter because these are non narcotic and less potent of addiction and these are also used as the alternative of anti-addiction.
Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
Paracetamol is a painkiller very similar to NSAIDs. It is also known as Acetaminophen. In most countries sold over the counter. Commonly acetaminophen is traded with names like Panadol and Tylenol. The distinguishing characteristic of Paracetamol from NSAIDs is that, Paracetamol deals inflammation in very minor manner. Paracetamol is mainly used to deal with mild nature of pain and in reduction of fever. Paracetamol is sometimes added to the narcotic analgesics to enhance the pain relieving effects.
Opioids
Opioids have the distinction from other types, that they possess narcotic effects for treating the pain. Opioid works by blocking the pain receptors to reach the brain, consequently, brain can’t perceive the pain. Opioids bind up with opioid receptors. Opioids are also called opiates in some sense but there are some differences. Opioids are substances derived from opium poppy. Morphine is the most popular opioid drug.
Painkiller Abuse
Painkiller abuse is very common in many countries. People get narcotic painkillers normally to abuse. Painkillers are obtained from family members of friends, sometimes they ask for it and sometimes they steal it. There are very dangerous side effects of painkillers abuse. Even a person can die due to the abuse.
Abuse of drugs puts the person in a condition in which the person takes the drugs more than prescribed and in high amount. The person craves for drugs and cannot miss the chance to get the drug at any cost. Addiction of drugs can be very disturbing for life.
There are some ways in the abuser abuse the drug like:
- The person can crush the drug and make it powder in order to snort the drug. Snorting make the drugs to reach direct in the nasal cavity and makes the person more and easily high.
- Drugs can be abused by smoking the drug after crushing it.
- Some people crush the drug and inject it to get high.
How Painkillers are prescribed?
Painkillers are very easily abused so it is very necessary to get a prescription in order to get a painkiller. Painkiller are prescribed by the medical experts only and they recommend them only taking your needs and in view. The doctor will consider the pain intensity you are going through, the past drug history and your medical history for prescribing a painkiller. Although, painkillers are very important for the need of humanity but one must be very vigilant in using or getting painkillers.
