Analgesics
(Pain Medications)

and possible side effects

The Most Astonishing Health Disaster of the 20th Century

aspirin-free Excedrin
  Only a rare patient has GI problems with acetaminophen.  It is generally tolerated well if kept under 4,000 mg per day.  Those patients who are taking significantly more than this on a regular basis may encounter liver or kidney toxicity especially in patients consuming a great deal of alcohol
   
 
Tylenol #4 contains 60 mg of codeine.  

 GI upset in some patients secondary to codeine, central nervous system side effects with dizziness, sedation, headache secondary to codeine.  Codeine may be constipating.  GI side-effects may occur with nausea and vomiting
 
propoxyphene hydrochloride
 Darvon Darvocet Wygesic
 
 May have central nervous system side effects including sedation, dizziness, light-headedness.  Some patients have GI upset with nausea or vomiting
It may be constipating and precautions such as are mentioned with Tylenol with codeine may be required with propoxyphene. Since this medication is a narcotic (opioid), it may lead to physical dependence, if used in excess. It should be used in caution with anybody who will be operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery. 
 
Tramadol
 Ultram
  Central nervous system side-effect with some sedation, dizziness, headache.  Also may have GI side-effects with nausea.  There is an increased incidence of seizures especially in patients with a history of prior seizure disorder.  It may affect kidney function or liver function which requires monitoring
 Tramadol offers another way to control pain in a less potentially addicting manner, but the patient needs to be monitored for all the various side-effects mentioned. Since this medication is a narcotic (opioid), it may lead to physical dependence if used in excess.  
 
Vicodin
 Extra Strength Vicodin
Vicoprofen 
Central nervous system side-effects with headaches, dizziness, sedation, constipation (secondary to decreased motility), difficulty with emptying bladder, depression of the respiratory center with higher doses, rash with itching of the skin. The ibuprofen component of Vicoprofen may cause gastrointestinal irritation in addition to the side-effects of hydrocodone.  All of these various types of hydrocodone may cause dependence

 Percodan
 Central nervous system effects with light-headedness, sedation, dizziness, also GI effects with nausea, vomiting, constipation, also itching of the skin.It may cause drug dependence.   

Phrenilin Forte Constipation related to codeine, sedation, light-headedness, dizziness related to butalbital, GI upset or hypersensitivity secondary to aspirin
  

fentanyl patch
 Duragesic patch GI symptoms with nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, central nervous system side-effects with sedation, weakness, confusion.  May depress the respiratory center, increased sweating, problems with urinary retention, headache 

 Oxycontin Constipation, nausea, vomiting, central nervous system side-effects with sedation, dizziness, headaches, also sweating, dry mouth, weakness, itching of the skin.
 

 
pentazocine hydrochloride   Central nervous system side-effects with dizziness, light-headedness, sedation, headache, confusion, visual blurring, also increased sweats, GI symptoms with nausea, vomiting

 
pentazocine  Talwin
 Central nervous system side-effects with headaches, sedation, light-headedness and dizziness, hallucinations, GI problems with nausea, vomiting, visual blurring, sweating.
  
 
 Talwin Nx
  
 Central nervous system side-effects with headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, sedation, confusion, increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, constipation
  
 
hydromorphone hydrochloride
 DilaudidCentral nervous system side-effects, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, depression of the respiratory center.This medicine is only reserved for patients with most severe pain , because of its risk of dependence and abuse. 
 
 

Roxicodone

 Central nervous system side-effects with dizziness, sedation, light-headedness, nausea, vomiting, itching of the skin, rash
 Respiratory depression may occur with this medication. Since this medication is a narcotic (opioid), it may lead to physical dependence. It should be used in caution with anybody who will be operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery
 
oxycodone plus ibuprofen Combunox constipation, sedation, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting from oxycodone plus potential gastro-intestinal irritation with heartburn, abdominal pain, stomach ulcers, gastro-intestinal bleeding, kidney dysfunction from ibuprofen. This is a pill that combines the anti-inflammatory and pain relieving features of ibuprofen with a stronger narcotic drug (oxycodone).
 Read more:Why take prescription drugs