Things to do against pain

Physical pain is annoying. Don't do drugs, unless you really need to. You can:

• do sports
• use warmth (especially against tension)
• use cold packs (against inflammation).

WHO recommends three types of pain relief. Along any step in the ladder, additional drugs – "adjuvants"- may be used. Adjuvants include: antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), anticonvulsants (e.g. gabapentin), corticosteroids (e.g. dexamethasone), and anxiolytics (e.g. diazepam).

Non-opioid ± adjuvants

• Ibuprofen - non-opioid, anti inflammation

Pain persists. Opioids ± non-opioids ± adjuvants.

• More ibuprofen - can take up to 1200mg
• Tilidin
• Codeine

Strong pain. Take strong opioids.

• Oxycodone
• morphine or hydromorphone