Surgical intervention is always accompanied by severe pain. After the termination of anesthesia, pain can become intolerable. Therefore, painkillers are definitely used after surgery. There are a lot of such drugs on sale now, they all have different composition and effect. In order to avoid side effects and not worsen the condition of the patient, they can be used only as directed by a doctor.
Pain after surgery
Pain syndrome occurs with irritation of the nerve roots due to tissue damage. From them, impulses are sent to the brain to the receptors responsible for pain. In addition, with tissue damage, substances that increase pain and inflammation - prostaglandins - begin to be produced. And often during surgery, muscle spasm occurs. Therefore, surgery is always accompanied by pain. In the most severe cases, the patient is in the hospital, and painkillers are administered to him intramuscularly or intravenously. Sometimes the sensations are so strong that a combination of several means is used. It happens that doctors have to choose the dosage and type of pain medication for a long time, which would alleviate the suffering of the patient.
But there are such operations when the patient is immediately discharged home. These can be light surgical interventions on the bones, dental procedures, complex diagnostic procedures. But even in such cases, after the termination of the anesthesia, the patient feels pain. Therefore, he is prescribed painkillers. After an operation of mild to moderate severity, it is enough to drink them for 3-5 days, but an increase in the course or the use of stronger drugs may be required. The main thing is that all such funds must be prescribed by a doctor.
Types of painkillers
Analgesics are most often used to relieve pain. This is a group of drugs that act on the nervous system, blocking the conduct of pain impulses. They do not affect the cause of pain and do not contribute to faster healing of tissues. But discomfort removes well, therefore, facilitate the patient's condition.
There are several groups of pain medications. They are divided by the composition and characteristics of the action. Only a doctor can figure out which remedy is best used in each case. Usually prescribed painkillers from any one group:
- non-narcotic analgesics do not have a strong effect on the central nervous system, therefore they are not addictive;
- combined analgesics are considered more effective due to other substances that are part of them and help in the relief of pain;
- narcotic analgesics have a strong analgesic effect, as they block the receptors responsible for pain, and replace discomfort with euphoria;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have analgesic effects, in addition, they relieve inflammation and fever;
- antispasmodics are effective when pain is caused by muscle spasm;
- other painkillers include steroid hormones, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants.
How to use such drugs
In addition to injections, painkillers after surgery are often used. Their choice depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, the severity of his condition, the type of surgical intervention. Sometimes you have to prescribe a combination of several drugs, as some operations are accompanied by severe tissue damage and prolonged painful pains. Therefore, only a doctor can determine which pain pills after surgery to take better. There are several of their varieties with their own characteristics that an ordinary person cannot understand.
Usually begin treatment with non-narcotic analgesics or NSAIDs. If the pain persists, as well as when they are of high intensity from the very beginning, they use narcotic analgesics or steroid hormones. To enhance the effect of painkillers, antihistamines, antispasmodics, antidepressants can be prescribed. It is important to remember that many drugs can not be used for a long time, so it is very important to draw up a course of treatment so that the pain goes away faster.
Best analgesic pills after surgery: rating
Such drugs should be prescribed only by a doctor. The specialist takes into account the severity of the patient's condition, the presence of contraindications, the causes of pain. In accordance with this, there are several painkillers that are used after surgery most often:
- Morphine
- Tramal
- "Promedol";
- Fentanyl
- "Baralgin";
- "Took";
- Ketanov
- Diclofenac
- Nimesil;
- Diprospan;
- Gabapentin.
Non-narcotic analgesics
Analgesics include drugs that block the enzyme that produces prostaglandins. As a result of this, irritation of nerve tissues is reduced, and pain impulses are worsened. Drugs from this group do not affect the central nervous system, therefore, they have few side effects and are not addictive. These painkillers for pain after surgery are prescribed most often. They may have small anti-inflammatory properties, well eliminate unpleasant sensations, but do not cause drowsiness.
Analgesics in medicine are also called drugs from the pyrazolone group. These are fairly common over-the-counter painkillers. After surgery, they only help in mild cases, but they are still often used because of their accessibility and good tolerance. There are some of the most popular drugs in this group:
- "Analgin" is the most common pain medication, it blocks nerve impulses;
- "Tempalgin" is an analogue of "Analgin" with the same composition, inhibits the center of pain, slightly reduces inflammation and fever;
- "Baralgin" - the most common painkillers after surgery on a finger or toe, tooth extraction or other pain of moderate intensity.
Combined Analgesics
They contain several active substances. Due to this, such drugs have, in addition to the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Some of them may have an antispasmodic effect. Typically, these drugs include metamizole sodium, paracetamol, caffeine, drotaverine and other substances. The following are the most popular combined analgesics:
- Pentalgin is the most common complex product containing caffeine, naproxen, drotaverine, paracetamol and pheniramine maleate;
- "Took" is used for moderate pain after any operations, it contains, in addition to metamizole sodium, an antispasmodic pitophenol and fenpiverinium bromide;
- the drug "Spazmalgon" has the same composition, which is effective in the case when the surgical intervention led to the appearance of muscle cramps;
- "Ibuklin" contains paracetamol and ibuprofen in large doses, but only helps with moderate pain;
- "Caffetine" contains caffeine, codeine, paracetamol and propiphenazone, quickly relieves muscle and joint pain.
Narcotic analgesics
Such painkillers for pain after surgery are used when other drugs do not help. Only in rare cases, they are prescribed immediately. Narcotic analgesics relieve pain due to the effect on the central nervous system departments responsible for the acceptance of pain impulses. They replace discomfort with drowsiness and euphoria. Such medications inhibit the central nervous system, are addictive, therefore, they are used strictly as prescribed by the doctor.
Narcotic analgesics are the most powerful painkillers in pills. After operations, they are often used, especially if other means do not help. Narcotic analgesics include drugs based on morphine, codeine, opium or fentanyl. All of these products are sold only by prescription. They are used for very severe pain.
- "Tramal" is rapidly absorbed by the blood, so the pain stops almost immediately. It has a long-lasting effect, therefore it is often used after operations.
- "Promedol" is an opioid analgesic based on trimeperidine. The drug increases the threshold of sensitivity, changes the psychological perception of pain. These are the most powerful painkillers after surgery, effective for at least 4 hours.
- Fentanyl is a synthetic analogue of morphine. It has a stronger and faster action. Causes euphoria and drowsiness.
- "Nalbuphine" is prescribed after surgery more often, since it has fewer side effects. It has an effect similar to morphine. This drug is often prescribed immediately after surgery.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
These are drugs that, in addition to the analgesic effect, have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. After operations, their use is indicated for the threat of the development of the inflammatory process. In addition, many drugs from this group have a more pronounced analgesic effect than conventional analgesics, therefore, are prescribed for severe pain. Use such drugs can be no more than 3-5 days. They often cause side effects, so they are used only as directed by a doctor. Not all NSAIDs are effective for severe postoperative pain, but there are several drugs that are used in such cases quite often:
- Ketanovs are powerful painkillers. After operations on the bones of the legs, arms or dental interventions, they are very effective. But it is not recommended to use them longer than 2-3 days, as they cause damage to the gastric mucosa, nausea and weakness.
- Nurofen and other ibuprofen-based drugs after surgery are used only in large dosages and under the supervision of a physician. You can not combine these funds with "Analgin" and "Paracetamol."
- "Diclofenac" is a common drug from the NSAID group. Most often used for injuries and operations on the musculoskeletal system. Quickly relieves swelling and inflammation, reduces pain.
- Often after operations, Nimesil is used. It is available in tablets or in powder. Known drug is also called "Nise." It relieves pain, swelling and inflammation.
Antispasmodics
These drugs relax smooth muscles, dilate blood vessels. They are used after surgery when surgery has affected the muscles or ligaments. This most often happens after bone surgery. Analgesic pills from this group are sold without a doctor’s prescription, they are affordable. Usually they are used in combination with other analgesics. The most popular drugs are:
- Drotaverinum is the most inexpensive and popular pain medication.
- "No-Shpa" is a common antispasmodic based on drotaverine, relieves smooth muscle spasms and dilates blood vessels.
- "Spasmolgon" in addition to antispasmodic contains NSAIDs, therefore, has a complex effect.
Other painkillers after surgery
In difficult cases, according to indications, the doctor may prescribe drugs of other groups. They are used separately or in combination with analgesics:
- Corticosteroid hormones are used when pain is accompanied by severe swelling and inflammation. Most often used are Prednisone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Diprospan, Kenalog and others.
- Drugs from the group of anticonvulsants have a strong analgesic effect. They are used for severe pain. These are Gabapentin and Pregabalin.
- Muscle relaxants are used before surgery to more effectively relax the patient's muscles, but can be prescribed after it. These drugs relieve muscle cramps, relax, without affecting the respiratory center. Most often prescribed "Baclofen", "Midokalm", "Flexin", "Dexonium".
- Additionally, in complex treatment, metabolic agents, vitamin complexes and drugs are used to improve blood circulation. They have an auxiliary effect, as they can not relieve pain, but they can accelerate recovery. These are tablets such as Cavinton, Trental, Thiamine, Milgamma.
Analgesic pills: reviews of doctors
The most famous drug with a similar effect is "Morphine" and its derivatives. But doctors use it now in extreme cases, since it has many side effects. More positive reviews about Tramal or Promedol. In mild cases of moderate-intensity pain, doctors prefer to prescribe Baralgin, Bral, Nimesil, or Ketanov. These drugs also relieve pain, but rarely cause side effects.