As with other medicines, drugs used for pain relief can be given by various methods and can cause side effects. This section lists some drugs commonly used to relieve pain. Additional medications sometimes used to relieve pain in children are acetaminophen, nalbuphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, and others.

Pain medication list

Several different names can be used to refer to each of the pain medications. You may hear the same drug referred to by its generic name, an abbreviation, or one of several brand names, depending on which doctor, nurse, or pharmacist you talk to. The following list provides the generic name of several commonly used pain medications and some of the most common brand names.

Codeine

How given: Intramuscular (IM) injection, intravenous (IV) injection or infusion, subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection, or pills or liquid by mouth (PO)

How it works: Codeine is an opiate that reduces pain.

Note: This drug is added to numerous other non-narcotic pain relievers. See earlier section in this chapter called “Different responses to medications.”

Common side effects:

•  Light-headedness

•  Dizziness

•  Sedation

•  Euphoria

•  Constipation

Infrequent side effects:

•  Nausea

•  Vomiting

•  Allergic reaction

•  Slowed heart rate

Hydromorphone

How given: Intravenous (IV) injection or infusion, pill by mouth (PO), rectal suppository, or subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection

How it works: Hydromorphone is a narcotic pain reliever.

Precaution: It can cause slowed breathing.

Common side effects:

•  Dizziness and light-headedness

•  Sedation

•  Nausea and vomiting

•  Excessive sweating

•  Euphoria and other mood alterations

•  Headaches

•  Constipation

•  Slowed breathing

Infrequent side effects:

•  Hallucination and disorientation

•  Diminished circulation

•  Shock

•  Cardiac arrest

Meperidine

How given: Intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), or subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection; or liquid or pill by mouth (PO). It is not as effective if taken by mouth.

How it works: Meperidine is a narcotic that works similarly to morphine.

Common side effects:

•  Sedation

•  Constipation

•  Dizziness

•  Nausea and vomiting

•  Dry mouth

•  Flushing or sweating

Infrequent side effects:

•  Slowed breathing

•  Decreased blood pressure

•  Seizures

•  Headaches

•  Visual disturbances

•  Mood changes

•  Slowed heart rate

Methadone

How given: Intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), or subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection; or liquid or pill by mouth (PO)

How it works: Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever.

Common side effects:

•  Light-headedness and dizziness

•  Sedation

•  Nausea and vomiting

•  Excessive sweating

•  Euphoria

•  Constipation

•  Loss of appetite

Infrequent side effects:

•  Slowed breathing

•  Decreased circulation

•  Depression or euphoria

•  Confusion

•  Shock

Morphine

How given: Intravenous (IV) injection or infusion, short- or long-acting pill by mouth (PO), liquid by mouth (PO), or suppository

How it works: Morphine is a narcotic derived from the opium plant.

Common side effects:

•  Euphoria

•  Nausea and vomiting

•  Sedation

•  Dry mouth

•  Headaches

•  Drowsiness

•  Constipation

Infrequent side effects:

•  Reduced body temperature

•  Slowed breathing

•  Allergic reactions, including hives and itching

•  Seizures

Oxycodone

How given: Pills or liquid by mouth (PO)

How it works: Oxycodone is a narcotic derived from opium.

Common side effects:

•  Light-headedness

•  Dizziness

•  Sedation

•  Constipation

•  Nausea and vomiting

Infrequent side effects:

•  Slowed breathing

•  Skin rash

•  Mood changes

•  Headaches

•  Insomnia

•  Low blood pressure

•  Slowed heart rate

•  Delayed digestion

•  Allergic reactions