Painkillers

When do you need to use Painkillers?

Painkillers are not a harmless household remedy. They can be useful to relieve the occasional pain or to help lower a temperature. They should never be used for a long time without medical supervision. Keep all painkillers locked away from children. Painkillers, particularly those containing paracetamol are the cause of most drug related poisonings in children.

STORE ALL MEDICINES IN A SAFE PLACE like an approved medicine cabinet or locked box — WELL OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you.

What painkillers can’t do

• Cure whatever is causing the pain
• Prevent a headache
• Give a boost of energy

Painkillers block the pain — they do not cure the cause of the pain.

Ways to overcome pain

Pain tells us when something is wrong with our bodies. Often we can do something, other than take painkillers, to

• Going for a walk in the fresh air if your headache is caused by being in a stuffy room
• Stay as active as possible and keep in good shape
• Using correct ways of bending and lifting
• Sitting on chairs with good back support
• Sleeping on a firm mattress
• Wearing comfortable shoes
• Visiting the dentist if you have a toothache Bandaging and resting a sprain
• Massaging the painful area
• Going to bed early
• Having a meal or glass of water
• Rubbing baby’s gums with ice for teething pain

Talk to your doctor if you have acute pain such as appendicitis, chronic pain such as arthritis, or any persistent pain.

For chronic pain, talk to your doctor about a referral to a pain clinic.

Coping Without Pills

Find out the cause of the pain

CHECK:

Is your work area well aired?
Are you eating properly and not skipping meals?
Are you wearing a hat, sunglasses and covering your
skin when in the sun?
Are you getting plenty of sleep?
Are you drinking enough water? Adults should drink
two litres of water a day, more on hot days.
Are you drinking too much alcohol? Are you
dehydrated or do you have a hangover?
Are there personal problems at home or at work?
Do you need to talk to a friend or counselor?
Is your job stressful?
Do you have a medical problem? Do you need to
see a doctor?
Are you injured?
Do you need to see a dentist?

Suggestions for Preventing Pain

1. Eating and drinking sensibly will often prevent indigestion or hangovers.

2. A change in lifestyle can help to reduce our level of stress and tension. This may not be easy, but it can be worth the effort.

3. Relaxation techniques may assist in preventing or relieving pain resulting from the stress in our lives.

4. Diet also is a major influence on our health. Skipping meals, having an unbalanced diet or even changing your normal diet can upset the chemical balance in the body. This can cause headaches or make a person feel run down and unable to cope. In this case, eating regularly and avoiding dramatic changes in diet may prevent headaches.

5. Information is available from your Community Health Centre, doctor, pharmacy or library.

why use..
...Painkillers?

• Many people use painkillers.
• They can help with small amounts of pain, but are meant to be used for a short period of time.
• If a person has used or needs to use painkillers for a long time, they should see their doctor.
• If a person has some pain that keeps coming back after the painkiller has worn off, they should see their doctor.
• Some painkillers are prescribed by a doctor and other painkillers can be bought over the counter at a pharmacy or the supermarket.

Are painkillers dangerous?

Painkillers can be dangerous if used:

• for a long time

• with other medicines

• above recommended or prescribed doses

It is important to remember that some medicines should not be taken at the same time as other medicines, even if it is medicine bought without a prescription from a supermarket pharmacy or health food store

While painkillers can help people with their pain they can cause other problems with a person s health if taken for a long time;

ALWAYS ASK THE DOCTOR:

• how long to take the painkiller for?
• how much painkiller to take?
• what are the side effects of taking them for that amount of time?