Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBefore TakingOTC MedicationsPrescription NSAIDsNarcotic PainkillersFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Before Taking
OTC Medications
Prescription NSAIDs
Narcotic Painkillers
Frequently Asked Questions
When you’re on painkillers, you may wonder how often you should take them. These drugs are intended to help people recovering from temporary pain like that from surgery or an injury as well as those withchronic painfrom cancer or other sources. They can includeover-the-counter pain relievers, prescription anti-inflammatories,narcotic (opioid) painkillers, or some combination of these.
So if you’re not in pain, can you skip a dose? If you’re in constant pain, can you take more or take it more often?
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The short answer isno, not without approval from your healthcare provider. Dosage schedules are in place to minimize your pain while also protecting you from potentially dangerous side effects or accidental overdose. With narcotics, there’s the added risk of addiction.
After surgery, pain medications may also reduce your chances of developing complications such as blood clots or even pneumonia.They can also improve your recovery. Simple acts like walking regularly can help you get better faster, and well-managed pain is important for that.
Pay close attention to instructions regarding whether to take painkillers with food or on an empty stomach. These directions are there to protect you from side effects and ensure your body can use the drug effectively. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist should be able to answer any questions you have.
Before you take any drug for pain, you should know the proper dosage, how long to go between doses, and what potential side effects to watch for. You should also make sure what you’re taking won’t interact negatively with other drugs or nutritional supplements you’re on. Read the packaging information, and if you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
While you can find reliable medical information here and elsewhere online, that is general information only. You need instructions that are tailored to your specific situation, including your overall health, age, possibly your sex or weight, other medications you take, allergies, risk factors, and what kind of pain you have.
The goal for you and your practitioner should be to use pain medications:
Your healthcare provider may advise you to check your pain level before taking these powerful and potentially dangerous drugs. The table below has recommendations from the American College of Surgeons about making pain-control decisions when you go home after surgery.
*Non-drug therapies may include:
**Short-term use of narcotics is considered just a few days. If you have severe pain or increasing pain four or more days after surgery, call your surgeon.
Over-the-Counter Medications
You can buy several pain medications over-the-counter (OTC) and your healthcare provider may advise you to use them for pain from a variety of causes. OTC pain relievers include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen.
NSAIDs
Your healthcare provider may recommend OTC NSAIDs along with acetaminophen or narcotics.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen relieves pain but not inflammation. It’s the drug in Tylenol and more than 600 other OTC and prescription medications, including many multi-drug cold and flu products that help alleviate sinus pain, body aches, and fever.It’s also in some combination narcotic medications.
Acetaminophen is easier on the stomach than most other pain relievers. It’s also generally safe alongside NSAIDs and/or narcotics as well as many other drugs, which is why it’s in so many combination products.
Acetaminophen WarningHigh doses of acetaminophen can betoxic to your liver. If you’re taking acetaminophen for pain while also taking other medications, be sure to check all the ingredient lists so you don’t accidentally take too much. Acetaminophen is not recommended for people with liver disease or who regularly drink more than a moderate amount of alcohol.
Acetaminophen Warning
High doses of acetaminophen can betoxic to your liver. If you’re taking acetaminophen for pain while also taking other medications, be sure to check all the ingredient lists so you don’t accidentally take too much. Acetaminophen is not recommended for people with liver disease or who regularly drink more than a moderate amount of alcohol.
Prescription Anti-Inflammatories
Many prescription NSAIDs are available, including higher strengths of the drugs in OTC NSAIDs, but they still can be prescribed along with narcotics. Dosages may vary between what’s recommended for acute (short-term) pain (from surgery or injury) and what’s recommended for treating chronic inflammatory diseases, so make sure you follow the instructions from your healthcare provider.
Most prescription NSAIDs are available in multiple strengths. Do not exceed the amount your practitioner prescribes. If you feel you need more pain management than the medication provides, contact your healthcare provider and ask about your options.
Prescription NSAID dosages are based on the condition and type of pain the medication is intended to treat. The dosages listed above are ranges, not suggestions. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions when taking these medications.
NSAID WarningsNSAIDs may cause apotentially fatal heart attackorstroke,high blood pressure,kidneyorliver failure,ulcersand bleeding in the stomach or intestines,anemia, life-threatening skin reactions, and life-threateningallergic reactions.
NSAID Warnings
NSAIDs may cause apotentially fatal heart attackorstroke,high blood pressure,kidneyorliver failure,ulcersand bleeding in the stomach or intestines,anemia, life-threatening skin reactions, and life-threateningallergic reactions.
Narcotics, also called opioids, are synthetic forms of natural opiates such as those found in the opium poppy. Their primary purpose is to treatcancer painand acute pain, but they’re also used extensively to treatchronic pain.
As an epidemic of abuse and overdoses has swept the United States, opioid use has become increasingly controversial. Many people have concerns about taking these drugs, especially for the long term. Healthcare providers are concerned as well, often requiring people with chronic pain to sign contracts promising to take the medications only as prescribed. Federal law limits access to these drugs, as well.
Public Health
A person’s risk of addiction depends on many factors, but research shows it’s rare in people who’ve used narcotics for five days or fewer after surgery.Taking them for longer increases the risk, as does taking higher amounts than prescribed or taking them recreationally. That makes it extremely important to follow your healthcare provider’s dosage instructions.
Over time, you can develop a tolerance to narcotics, meaning it takes more to get the same effect. However, it doesn’t mean your body can tolerate more without increasing the risk of side effects or overdose. This is part of why it’s important to start at and stay at the lowest possible dose at which you get relief.
Some of the stronger narcotics, such as morphine and oxycodone, don’t have a maximum daily limit because they’re administered around-the-clock for people with unrelenting pain, and at increasingly higher doses. The amount needed and tolerated is highly personal and depends on a multitude of variables.
Some narcotics, and especially combination or extended-release products, do have established daily maximums.
It is very important to take narcotic painkillers under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Taking too much of these drugs or combining them with other medications or alcohol is dangerous and can be life-threatening. Do not depend on the information below to determine the correct dose for your condition. Individual patient needs can vary considerably; always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
Current Trends in Pain Management
How can I wean myself off of opioid painkillers?
Can I take Tylenol and Advil together?
A Word From Verywell
It’s always easier to prevent pain than to treat it. Skipping a dose or waiting until you feel the pain to take your meds could leave you suffering unnecessarily and slow down your recovery. If you think you’re overmedicated or undermedicated, or if you’re having side effects that bother you, talk to your healthcare provider. They know all of the variables that need to be considered when deciding on your pain-management regimen.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Surgeons.Safe and effective pain control after surgery.Cleveland Clinic.Pain control after surgery.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Acetaminophen safety: Be cautious but not afraid.Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Where to turn for pain relief - acetaminophen or NSAIDs?Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (paracetamol): Usual oral dosing for adults with pain or inflammation and selected characteristics. In:UpToDate. UpToDate; 2024.National Library of Medicine.Indomethacin ER - indomethacin capsule Apotheca, Inc.Food and Drug Administration.Dilaudid® oral liquid and dilaudid® tablets(hydromorphone hydrochloride) CS-II.Food and Drug Administration.MS Contin (morphine sulfate controlled-release) Tablets CII.Food and Drug Administration.OxyContin® package insert.Food and Drug Administration.Oxycodone: Highlights of prescribing information.Food and Drug Administration. Xtampza ER: Highlights of prescribing information.Food and Drug Administration.Percocet.National Library of Medicine.Label: Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablet.National Library of Medicine.Tramadol HCL- tramadol hcl tablet.National Library of Medicine.Label: Hydrocodone acetaminophen- hydrocodone, acetaminophen tablet.Dave VH.A patient’s guide to opioid tapering. Hospital for Special Surgery.Merry AF, Gibbs RD, Edwards J, et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: A randomized controlled trial.British Journal of Anaesthesia; 104(1):80-88. 10.1093/bja/aep338Additional ReadingEndo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Percocet.Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc: Get Relief Responsibly.Adult NSAID dosage chart.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Tylenol with codeine - acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablet.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Naproxen sodium - drug summary.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.OxyContin ER: Highlights of prescribing information.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Dilaudid: Highlights of prescribing information.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Ultram (tramadol hyrochloride tablets.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Oxycodone hydrochloride capsules.UpToDate.Morphine: Drug information.UpToDate.Oxycodone: Drug information.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Surgeons.Safe and effective pain control after surgery.Cleveland Clinic.Pain control after surgery.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Acetaminophen safety: Be cautious but not afraid.Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Where to turn for pain relief - acetaminophen or NSAIDs?Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (paracetamol): Usual oral dosing for adults with pain or inflammation and selected characteristics. In:UpToDate. UpToDate; 2024.National Library of Medicine.Indomethacin ER - indomethacin capsule Apotheca, Inc.Food and Drug Administration.Dilaudid® oral liquid and dilaudid® tablets(hydromorphone hydrochloride) CS-II.Food and Drug Administration.MS Contin (morphine sulfate controlled-release) Tablets CII.Food and Drug Administration.OxyContin® package insert.Food and Drug Administration.Oxycodone: Highlights of prescribing information.Food and Drug Administration. Xtampza ER: Highlights of prescribing information.Food and Drug Administration.Percocet.National Library of Medicine.Label: Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablet.National Library of Medicine.Tramadol HCL- tramadol hcl tablet.National Library of Medicine.Label: Hydrocodone acetaminophen- hydrocodone, acetaminophen tablet.Dave VH.A patient’s guide to opioid tapering. Hospital for Special Surgery.Merry AF, Gibbs RD, Edwards J, et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: A randomized controlled trial.British Journal of Anaesthesia; 104(1):80-88. 10.1093/bja/aep338Additional ReadingEndo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Percocet.Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc: Get Relief Responsibly.Adult NSAID dosage chart.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Tylenol with codeine - acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablet.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Naproxen sodium - drug summary.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.OxyContin ER: Highlights of prescribing information.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Dilaudid: Highlights of prescribing information.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Ultram (tramadol hyrochloride tablets.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Oxycodone hydrochloride capsules.UpToDate.Morphine: Drug information.UpToDate.Oxycodone: Drug information.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Surgeons.Safe and effective pain control after surgery.Cleveland Clinic.Pain control after surgery.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Acetaminophen safety: Be cautious but not afraid.Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Where to turn for pain relief - acetaminophen or NSAIDs?Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (paracetamol): Usual oral dosing for adults with pain or inflammation and selected characteristics. In:UpToDate. UpToDate; 2024.National Library of Medicine.Indomethacin ER - indomethacin capsule Apotheca, Inc.Food and Drug Administration.Dilaudid® oral liquid and dilaudid® tablets(hydromorphone hydrochloride) CS-II.Food and Drug Administration.MS Contin (morphine sulfate controlled-release) Tablets CII.Food and Drug Administration.OxyContin® package insert.Food and Drug Administration.Oxycodone: Highlights of prescribing information.Food and Drug Administration. Xtampza ER: Highlights of prescribing information.Food and Drug Administration.Percocet.National Library of Medicine.Label: Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablet.National Library of Medicine.Tramadol HCL- tramadol hcl tablet.National Library of Medicine.Label: Hydrocodone acetaminophen- hydrocodone, acetaminophen tablet.Dave VH.A patient’s guide to opioid tapering. Hospital for Special Surgery.Merry AF, Gibbs RD, Edwards J, et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: A randomized controlled trial.British Journal of Anaesthesia; 104(1):80-88. 10.1093/bja/aep338
American College of Surgeons.Safe and effective pain control after surgery.
Cleveland Clinic.Pain control after surgery.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Acetaminophen safety: Be cautious but not afraid.
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Where to turn for pain relief - acetaminophen or NSAIDs?
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (paracetamol): Usual oral dosing for adults with pain or inflammation and selected characteristics. In:UpToDate. UpToDate; 2024.
National Library of Medicine.Indomethacin ER - indomethacin capsule Apotheca, Inc.
Food and Drug Administration.Dilaudid® oral liquid and dilaudid® tablets(hydromorphone hydrochloride) CS-II.
Food and Drug Administration.MS Contin (morphine sulfate controlled-release) Tablets CII.
Food and Drug Administration.OxyContin® package insert.
Food and Drug Administration.Oxycodone: Highlights of prescribing information.
Food and Drug Administration. Xtampza ER: Highlights of prescribing information.
Food and Drug Administration.Percocet.
National Library of Medicine.Label: Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablet.
National Library of Medicine.Tramadol HCL- tramadol hcl tablet.
National Library of Medicine.Label: Hydrocodone acetaminophen- hydrocodone, acetaminophen tablet.
Dave VH.A patient’s guide to opioid tapering. Hospital for Special Surgery.
Merry AF, Gibbs RD, Edwards J, et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: A randomized controlled trial.British Journal of Anaesthesia; 104(1):80-88. 10.1093/bja/aep338
Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Percocet.Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc: Get Relief Responsibly.Adult NSAID dosage chart.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Tylenol with codeine - acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablet.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Naproxen sodium - drug summary.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.OxyContin ER: Highlights of prescribing information.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Dilaudid: Highlights of prescribing information.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Ultram (tramadol hyrochloride tablets.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Oxycodone hydrochloride capsules.UpToDate.Morphine: Drug information.UpToDate.Oxycodone: Drug information.
Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Percocet.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc: Get Relief Responsibly.Adult NSAID dosage chart.
MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Tylenol with codeine - acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablet.
Prescribers' Digital Reference.Naproxen sodium - drug summary.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.OxyContin ER: Highlights of prescribing information.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Dilaudid: Highlights of prescribing information.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Ultram (tramadol hyrochloride tablets.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Oxycodone hydrochloride capsules.
UpToDate.Morphine: Drug information.
UpToDate.Oxycodone: Drug information.
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