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Pain Management

West of Scotland Chronic Pain Education Group

Medication Information

Normally two or three drugs in combination are required to manage complex pain. These should be taken regularly and in sufficient dosage to achieve pain control. This is especially true for medication used to treat neuropathic pain where the effects are often not seen until after 2-4 weeks of treatment.

The provision of pain management therapy and treatments may be affected by other medical conditions — for example pregnancy or anticoagulant therapy.

Simple Analgesia

Mild painkillers used to reduce pain, either alone or combined with other therapy


Paracetamol

Opioids (morphine-based painkillers)

Painkillers that act on opiate receptors in the nervous system to reduce the unpleasant sensation of pain.


Fentanyl Patch

Opioids

Butec or Butrans Patches

Transtec Patch

Analgesia for Neuropathic Pain

Painkillers that are particularly suitable for neuropathic pain


Amitriptyline

Carbamazepine

Duloxetine

Gabapentin

Lamotrigine

Pregabalin

Pregabalin and Risks in Pregnancy

Topical Agents

Non-opioid painkillers that are administered as a skin-patch


Capsaicin

Lidocaine Patch