Information About Benefits of Narcotic Pain Reliever
Type of Drug:
Narcotic pain reliever combinations.
Uses:
To relieve moderate to severe pain.
Components of these combinations include:
Narcotic analgesics: Codeine, hydrocodone bitartrate, dihydrocodeine bitartrate, opium, oxycodone HCI, oxycodone terephthalate, meperidine HCI, propoxyphene HCI, and propoxyphene napsylate are used as pain relievers.
Nonnarcotic analgesics: Acetaminophen, salicylates, and salicylamide are used as pain relievers.
Caffeine, a traditional component of many analgesic formulations, may be beneficial in certain vascular headaches and may enhance the analgesic effect of selected narcotics.
Magnesium-aluminum hydroxides and calcium carbonate are used as buffers.
Barbiturates, acetylcarbroma I, carbromal and bromisovalum, are used for their sedative effects,
Promethazine HCI (a phenothiazine derivative with anti histaminic properties), is used for its sedative effect. It may enhance the analgesic effect of selected narcotics.
Belladonna alkaloids, used as antispasmodics.
Guidelines for Use:
May cause drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination and/or physical dexterity.
Avoid alcohol and drowsiness-causing drugs.
May cause nausea, vomiting or constipation. Notify your doctor if these become prominent.
Notify your doctor if shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing occurs.
Long-term use may lead to addiction. The early sign of this is drug ineffectiveness. Dependence is not an issue in terminal illness pain where patient comfort is more important.
May cause nausea; take with food.
May cause constipation with long-term use. Stool softeners or fiber laxatives may be required if use is prolonged.
Narcotics are more effective in preventing pain, than in treating pain after it occurs.
Sometimes these drugs are given in combination with other nonnarcotic pain relievers. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had problems taking aspirin or acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol) in the past.
It is illegal to share these potent, addictive drugs with others.