Pain Medications

Pain medications can reduce pain, improve comfort, and help you remain active.

Reviewed on June 15, 2026 by Scott Rigdon, MPH, DNAP, CRNA, NSPM-C

Article Summary

Pain can significantly impact your quality of life, including your physical comfort and social-emotional well-being. No matter the cause, pain can interfere with your daily activities and overall health. Because pain impacts each person differently, it is important to work with an anesthesia professional, such as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), to develop a personalized pain management plan. Together, you can determine the safest and most effective treatment options, including opioid and/or non-opioid medications and drug-free approaches such as physical therapy, hypnosis, or acupuncture that can be combined with medication or used on their own.

Pain management strategies essentially turn down the volume on pain signals, so the brain’s perception of pain is blunted, muted, or reduced. Learn about why pain happens and the different types of pain. The goal is to reduce the perception of pain while helping you remain as comfortable and functional as possible. Your anesthesia professional, such as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), may recommend a combination of strategies designed to reduce discomfort while minimizing side effects and risks.

There are many different types of medications that can be used to prevent and manage pain. These include both non-opioid and opioid medications:

Non-opioid medications

Whenever appropriate, your anesthesia professional and healthcare provider will recommend non-opioid medications as a first-line treatment. These medications are commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain and may be recommended alone or in combination with other therapies. Examples of these medications include:

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Medications such as Advil® (ibuprofen) and Aleve® (naproxen) help reduce pain and inflammation.
Acetaminophen: Commonly known as Tylenol®, can help relieve pain and reduce fever, but it does not reduce inflammation.

Opioid medications

For severe pain, such as pain following a major surgery or related to certain chronic conditions, opioids, such as codeine, tramadol, hydrocodone, oxycodone or morphine, may be recommended when other treatments don’t provide enough relief. It’s important to know that opioids carry risk, including dependence and addiction. Therefore, healthcare providers should prescribe them only when medically necessary at the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time. Please remember to follow your instructions carefully and discuss any concerns or side effects with your anesthesia professional and/or healthcare provider.

What are some potential side effects of opioid and non-opioid medications?

With NSAIDs, patients may experience an upset stomach or heartburn. Opioids may cause constipation, fatigue, and nausea. It’s very important to speak with your anesthesia professional and healthcare provider to understand all potential side effects.

Your anesthesia professional and healthcare provider may also recommend that you include drug-free pain control methods in addition to or in place of pain medication. Physical therapy, exercise, hypnosis, acupuncture, massage, and therapy for your emotional well-being have been shown to help reduce pain in certain situations. Learn more about Drug-Free Pain Control.

Pain management is not the same for everyone. The safest and most effective plan may combine medication with physical, behavioral, or supportive treatments. Talk with your healthcare professional about how pain affects your life, what treatments you have tried, and any side effects or concerns you have.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a recommendation for any specific anesthesia technique, drug, or treatment. Users should consult a qualified medical professional before making any decisions regarding anesthesia care. For complete terms, see our Terms of Use.