Chiropractic Examination

Managing and Minimizing Side Effects of Pain Medications

Share

For individuals who may need to take pain medications to manage an injury or condition, can knowing the potential side effects help in treatment?

Medications For Pain Side Effects

Over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can help relieve physical discomfort and distress but can also cause side effects. Patients may not manifest side effects when using certain meds or experience mild, limited, severe, or intolerable effects. Pain medication side effects can include:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Upset stomach
  • Bruising
  • Dizziness

However, medication side effects don’t affect everyone in the same way.

Pain Relief

The patient and their healthcare provider can decide whether they risk developing side effects and which effects they are more predisposed to. Individuals may be susceptible to side effects from certain medications but are likely to tolerate others. For example, individuals with a history of ulcers may be recommended to avoid anti-inflammatories. For those who have trouble sleeping, it is recommended to avoid pain meds that are known to interfere with sleep.

Reading Labels and Asking Questions

When taking over-the-counter medications, read the label for side effects, then weigh the possible risks against the medicine’s benefits for pain relief. Ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider about anything that is not understood. Some side effects are medical emergencies, such as allergic reactions. Recognizing the signs of an allergic reaction and being prepared to call for emergency help if symptoms present. (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2024) These can include:

  • Itching
  • Hives
  • Rash
  • Mouth or facial swelling
  • Shortness of breath

If a healthcare provider prescribes medication, discuss the anticipated risks and benefits. The prescription will come with a label that lists the side effects associated with the drug.

Opioid Risks

Opioids are powerful prescription meds, usually used for severe, short-term use, like post-surgery pain or after a severe traumatic injury. Some effects of opioids include: (Plein L. M. and Rittner H. L. 2018) Common side effects include sedation, constipation, and nausea. Chronic use can lead to depression and/or sexual dysfunction. With narcotics, there is the risk of addiction that can change an individual’s life, as addiction can be difficult to overcome. One of the reasons the CDC published a guideline on opioid prescriptions was because of the number of overdoses and deaths.

  • The CDC recommends that practitioners not prescribe opioids as a first-line treatment for chronic back pain.
  • The CDC recommends that healthcare providers initially treat patients with chronic back or neck pain using non-pharmacological therapies or medications other than opioids.
  • Opioids should only be used if the expected benefits for pain and function are anticipated to outweigh the risks to the patient.

With more than half of regular opioid users experiencing back pain, they aren’t proven to help return individuals to work or normal life faster, nor did they improve functioning when used for the treatment of an acute episode. (Deyo R. A. Von Korff M. and Duhrkoop D. 2015) The effectiveness of opioids is about 30% for short-term relief and did not improve physical functioning.

Examples and Comparisons

Examples of common medications used to treat back pain.

Advil

  • Active Ingredient – Ibuprofen
  • Drug Class – NSAID
  • Over-the-counter or Prescribed – Available over-the-counter
  • Side Effects – GI-related symptoms and Reye’s Syndrome in children

Aleve and Other Generic Brands

  • Active Ingredient – Naproxen
  • Drug Class – NSAID
  • Over-the-counter or Prescribed – Available as both depending on strength.
  • Side Effects – GI-related symptoms, headaches

Tylenol and Other Generic Brands

  • Active Ingredient – Acetaminophen
  • Drug Class Analgesic – pain reliever
  • Over-the-counter or Prescribed – Available as both and can be prescribed with codeine.
  • Side Effects – Potential liver damage

Lyrica

  • Active Ingredient – Pregabalin
  • Drug Class – Anticonvulsant
  • Over-the-counter or Prescribed – Prescribed FDA-approved for shingles pain and neuropathy in diabetes. Other uses off-label.
  • Side Effects – Dizziness, drowsiness, swelling, weight gain.

Neurontin

  • Active Ingredient – Gabapentin
  • Drug Class – Anticonvulsant
  • Over-the-counter or Prescribed – Prescribed FDA-approved for shingles pain
  • Side Effects – Dizziness, drowsiness, allergic reaction, withdrawal, and seizures.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

Chiropractic therapy is among the more conservative treatment options and may be tried first. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent injury. Regarding musculoskeletal pain, specialists like chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can help mitigate the pain through spinal adjustments that help the body realign itself.


Chronic Body Pain Recovery


References

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2024). Anaphylaxis Symptoms & Diagnosis. www.aaaai.org/conditions-treatments/allergies/anaphylaxis

Plein, L. M., & Rittner, H. L. (2018). Opioids and the immune system – friend or foe. British journal of pharmacology, 175(14), 2717–2725. doi.org/10.1111/bph.13750

Deyo, R. A., Von Korff, M., & Duhrkoop, D. (2015). Opioids for low back pain. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 350, g6380. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g6380

Related Post

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Managing and Minimizing Side Effects of Pain Medications" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Dr Alex Jimenez

Welcome-Bienvenido's to our blog. We focus on treating severe spinal disabilities and injuries. We also treat Sciatica, Neck and Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal mobility, health, fitness, and structural conditioning. We use Individualized Diet Plans, Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Adapted Cross-Fit Protocols, and the "PUSH System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. If you would like to learn more about a Doctor of Chiropractic who uses advanced progressive techniques to facilitate complete physical health, please connect with me. We focus on simplicity to help restore mobility and recovery. I'd love to see you. Connect!

Published by

Recent Posts

The Role of Chiropractic Care in Managing Sciatica

Can individuals utilize chiropractic care to reduce sciatica pain and help restore mobility to their… Read More

Understanding Overpronation and its Effects on the Body

What are the treatment options for individuals dealing with foot overpronation when the foot and… Read More

Effective Treatment for Nerve Injuries: Causes and Solutions

Can individuals with nerve injuries incorporate non-surgical treatments to reduce pain sensations and restore motor… Read More

Lumbosacral Joint L5-S1: Key Facts and Tips for Health

For individuals trying to retrain their body movements for back health improvement, what is the… Read More

Unlock a Pain-Free Body with Pilates

Can individuals with body pain incorporate Pilates to reduce general aches and pains while strengthening… Read More

Maintaining Adequate Sleep: Why It’s Crucial as You Get Older

Sleep is vital at all ages, but what is the amount of sleep for older… Read More