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Medications for Chronic Pain Relief

By: Jenny Curran

Chronic pain sufferers have many options when it comes to getting help. Modern medicine and pharmacology have virtually wiped out the need to live with pain and physicians can now prescribe a wide variety of treatment options. Whether you are living with chronic back, neck, muscle and joint pain or even migraines, there are several medications can be used safely to manage chronic pain. Below is a brief introduction to some of the most common pain medications and the conditions they are most often used for.

Tramadol (Ultram)

Tramadol is most frequently marketed in the United States under the brand name Ultram. It is also available under other brand names such as Adolan, Tradol and Tradolan. Tramadol is similar in action to morphine as both are opiates but Tramadol has about 10% of the potency. It is one of the few pain medications of this class that is not classified as a controlled substance in the United States (in some countries it can actually be obtained without a prescription). It is most frequently prescribed for all moderate to severe chronic pain that requires continuous treatment.

Butalbital (Fioricet)

Butalbital, most often available under the brand name Fioricet, is a leading prescription pain reliever for migraine headaches and other forms of chronic pain. Fioricet is a barbituate and is often combined with other pain relief medications such as acetaminophen and codeine (and sometimes even caffeine). Fioricet is available in capsule, tablet and liquid form. It is suggested that Fioricet be taken as close to the initial feelings of pain as possible to for maximum effect. Other brand names include Anolor, Margesic, Phrenilin and Esgic Plus.

Soma (Carisoprodol)

Carisopridol, most often sold and marketed as Soma in the United States has become a widely prescribed chronic pain medication in recent times. Classified as a muscle relaxant, Soma is most often prescribed for acute and severe muskoskeletal pain in adults. Carisoprodol has demonstrated possible habit forming qualities but is widely prescribed. It is often available as a combination with other medications such as aspirin and codeine. The main effect of Soma is to block pain sensations in the brain that originate in the nervous system. Soma works very fast (within 30 mins) and usually lasts for up to 6 hours.

Celecoxib (Celebrex)

Celecoxib is usually found under the brand name Celebrex, an anti-inflammatory pain medication that is non-steroidal in nature. Celebrex is now one of the leading medications for chronic pain prescribed for the relief of sever arthritis pain. It is also frequently used to treat pre-cancerous polyps in the intestine. Upset stomach is the most frequently reported side effect of Celebrex and it should never be crushed, chewed or broken prior to use. Celebrex interferes with hormones in the body that lead to inflammation and pain.

Acetaminophen-Hydrocodone (Vicodin)

Vicodin has been prescribed widely for chronic pain for some time. It is a mixture of Acetaminophen and the opioid Hydrocodone. The combination of these two substances has proven to be much more effective than using either alone. It works by lowering pain inducing hormones and blocking pain receptors in the brain. Vicodin has shown habit forming qualities and should only be taken as prescribed.

The chronic pain medications listed above simply represent the most frequently prescribed drugs for pain relief. If you are unfortunate enough to be suffering from chronic pain, it is important to consult with a doctor prior to engaging any prescription medications. Depending on your situation, other medications that you use and your medical history, some of these medications may not be suitable.

Article Source: http://www.articleresourceindex.com

Tired of living with chronic pain? Get information on treatment options at RelievingPain.org. Visit the web's only medication search engine, FindingMeds.net.

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