Choosing the right pain reliever involves understanding active ingredients and potential side effects. Learn the warning signs of painkiller overdose, the differences between common meds like Percocet and Vicodin, and natural alternatives.
Percocet is a class II prescription drug, prescribed as a pain reliever for moderate to high acute pain. It comes in six different strengths. The main active ingredients of Percocet are oxycodone and acetaminophen. This blend classifies Percocet as a narcotic analgesic, and is considered a highly addictive painkiller.
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Dental work often involves the extraction of teeth or cutting into the oral tissue. Because this can be painful dentists typically use anesthetics to diminish the pain at the time of the operation. Most dentists use local anesthesia, which is the injection of agents that temporarily numb the nerves.
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Most people experience muscle aches and pains at one time or another, usually due to overexertion. The surrounding fascia, tendons and ligaments are often involved, as well as the muscle itself.
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Anesthetics are medications designed to help manage pain by either decreasing pain to tolerable levels or blocking pain outright, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Local anesthesia is an anesthetic that affects the specific body part where it is administered.
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Tylenol is a brand name of drugs popular in North America based upon the primary active ingredient, acetaminophen. Tylenol is owned by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, part of Johnson & Johnson, and was introduced into the market in 1955.
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Aspirin has long been considered a medication that may help your health and protect you from heart attack and stroke, though when you take it before or during exercise it does not help or hinder your performance, according to Dr. Gabe Mirkin.
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Pain is a leading reason people seek medical attention, and painkillers are the foundation of pain management in many cases. With many options to choose from, medical professionals must consider which painkillers are most appropriate for the patient's condition.
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Ibuprofen is one of the most popular pain killers available on the market. It's a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), so it's good for treating the symptoms of arthritis, such as swelling, aches, inflammation and irritation in tissues and joints.
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An infected tooth can cause pain and swelling of varying degrees. Management of most cases is relatively simple, while others are severe enough to require hospitalization and the administration of intravenous drugs.
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Trying to find the right over-the-counter medication to ease your toddler's allergy symptoms is often a daunting task. There seem to be a million choices: stuffy nose relief, runny nose relief, cough or any combination of these. How do you know what is safe for your toddler?
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Ibuprofen is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that is used to treat pain and fever. It is also sold under the brand names Advil and Motrin and is available over the counter in grocery stores, drugstores and other retail outlets.
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Soreness and cracked skin around the nipples during breast-feeding is normal, but cracks in the skin open the way for breast infections. Developing an infection typically happens within the first six weeks of breast-feeding, though it is possible to get an infection during weaning.
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Available by prescription only, oxycodone is a narcotic of the opioid family indicated in the management of moderate to severe pain that is often post-operative or cancer-related in nature.
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Sinus and chest congestion can be very uncomfortable. They are often caused by seasonal allergies, but they can also be a symptom of bacterial or viral infections (such as the common cold or the flu). Sinus congestion can cause pain (including a sinus headache) and make it difficult to breathe through the nose.
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Cuts and scrapes happen to everyone. Information provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians notes that most minor wounds heal well without applying an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment or cream.
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Oxycodone is a prescription narcotic medication used for moderate to severe pain. It is believed to stimulate opioid receptors in the brain to increase one's tolerance to pain, thereby, decreasing the discomfort associated with pain, according to "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology."
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Whether you suffer from occasional or chronic headaches, you have probably tried different techniques to relieve the pain. Many people use a warm or cold compress, either alone or with other treatments. Unfortunately, this time-honored practice has not been well studied.
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Painkillers (analgesics) are available over-the-counter and by prescription, and are used to treat the pain and discomfort associated with injury, surgery or various medical conditions. There are two types of painkillers: narcotics (opioid analgesics) and non-narcotic analgesics.
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Heat feels good on sore muscles. That's why a soak in a hot tub or steaming shower is such a relief. However, lengthy exposure to heat -- especially heating pads -- is bad news on minor injuries. Even though heat treatment is a common part of physical therapy, you should avoid leaving a heating pad on sore muscles.
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Many terminal diseases can cause pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, a person with a terminal illness can decide to pursue aggressive treatment or stop treatment all together.
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