How do I choose medication for cancer pain? Any time a cancer patient experiences pain (either directly from the cancer or as a side effect of treatment), it is important to tell the doctor right away and not try to push through it. It is easier to control pain in its early stages; severe pain may take longer to get under control and require more medications. For most people with cancer, pain medications allow you to sleep better, eat better, and engage in everyday activities such as work and hobbies. Some medications can be purchased directly through a pharmacy, but others require a prescription to obtain. Over-the-counter: Acetaminophen: This medication is usually safe, but large doses taken over a long period of time may cause liver or kidney damage, as can taking it with alcoholic beverages. Consult your doctor before taking acetaminophen if you have comorbid related liver disease. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen to name a few. These medications can reduce inflammation and pain, and side effects can lead to stomach problems or ulcers, especially for people who drink or smoke. In the long run, NSAIDs may increase the risk of heart disease or stroke. So before taking painkillers, consult your doctor about your existing medical history and other medications and treatments you are using. If you have other medical conditions, such as kidney problems, the use of NSAIDs may worsen the kidneys. Prescription medications: For moderate to severe pain, prescription opioid medications may be needed, either alone or with other pain medications, which include weak and strong opioids. Weak opioids, such as codeine. Strong opioids, such as fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and fentanyl. Common side effects include: constipation drowsiness stomach upset, nausea and vomiting If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor, who may need to change your medication or dosage, or you may need to be prescribed additional medication to relieve the side effects, such as anti-nausea medication. Other Prescription Medications Doctors can prescribe several different medications to relieve cancer pain, often paired with opioids that can help these medications work better or reduce side effects, such as anti-seizure medications, antidepressants, steroids, and more. Forms of pain medications, including: pills, capsules, or liquids: you can take these medications by the oral route, as well as in the form of oral sprays. Suppositories: medications in pills and capsules are placed in the rectum. Injections: medications are injected under the skin or around the spine. Skin patches: These adhesive patches release the medication slowly through the skin. Intravenous: The medication is injected into a vein in direct connection, and access to the dose can be regulated by an auxiliary pump. Is it addictive? Many people worry about becoming addicted to using pain medications, especially opioids. However, the risk of addiction needs to be weighed against the severity of the pain and its impact on quality of life. Some medications can make you drowsy at first, but this effect usually wears off after a few days. How to use pain medication safely: If you or a family member is addicted to pain medication, you need to tell your doctor. Take your regular dose as prescribed, don’t add to it between doses or wait until your pain gets worse. The best way to get your pain under control is to treat it as soon as possible. If your medication is not working, consult your doctor. This is because with longer use, you may find that your usual dose does not provide the same relief, and a higher dose or other medication may be needed. If you are ready to stop taking painkillers, it is recommended that you gradually reduce the dosage so that you can adapt gradually.