Types of pain medicine

Pain after surgery usually is managed with more than one pain medicine, also known as an analgesic. The right type, delivery and dose of medicines for you depend on the type of surgery and expected recovery, as well as your own needs.

Pain medicines include the following:

• Opioids, powerful pain medicines that lower the perception of pain, may be given after surgery. Intravenous opioids may include fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone and tramadol. Examples of opioids prescribed in pill form after surgery include oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone, others) and oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet).
• Local anesthetics are medicines that numb a part of your body. They cause a short-term loss of feeling in that part of the body. These medicines include lidocaine and bupivacaine.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lessen the swelling that worsens pain. NSAIDs that may be taken after surgery include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex, Elyxyb) or ketorolac.
• Other nonopioid pain relievers include acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ketamine (Ketalar).
• Other medicines that can treat pain after surgery include the anti-anxiety medicine midazolam and the anti-seizure medicines gabapentin (Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica).

Opioids may or may not be appropriate to use after your surgery. Your surgeon will likely prescribe a combination of treatments. These may help control pain and lessen side effects. A combination of treatments also can help you resume activity appropriate for recovery and lower the risks associated with opioids.