A common question for those people experiencing pain is –
‘Where does medication (pharmacological) management fit in as part of a chronic pain strategy that embraces a biopsychosocial approach?’
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is a commonly used pain relieving medication (analgesic) for both acute and chronic pain due to its perceived low side effect profile.
Paracetamol is commonly known Australia under the common brand names of Panadol, Herron Paracetamol, Panamax, Chemist Own and Dymadon.
NSAIDs
NSAIDs work on mechanisms that inhibit the inflammatory process. It is important to realise that after an acute (recent) injury the inflammatory process is needed to initiate a healing response. So it is considered important, with appropriate medical, pharmacological and allied health care to ‘manage’ the acute inflammatory response within the first 2-3 days after injury to then allow adequate and effective healing.
NSAIDs in Australia include both prescription and over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen (Nurofen & Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), naproxen (Naprosyn & Aleve) and celecoxib (Celebrex).