eli5 Can someone please explain Pain Killers to me?

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Can someone explain pain killers to me please

As I am getting older, I am experiencing the aches and pains associated with age etc. I have only been used to taking paracetamol and ibuprofen ( i have taken codiene twice in my life). However, my friends talk about pain killers like codeine, tramadol, naproxen and some others…. Interestingly, i have tramadol, naproxen and codeine in my medicine cabinet, but have never taken them (with the exception of codeine twice, after being prescribed by doctors)

I have never even considered taking when in pain as to me they are drug drugs.. feel free to laugh at my ignorance im sure.

What exactly are they and what would warrant taking them opposed to paracetamol and ibuprofen?

What pains would warrant me taking certain types of pain killers over the others?

Ive tried researching the internet but i just end up on medical journals etc and I dont really understand them

Many thanks if anyone can shine a light on these types of pain killers

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5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Codeine and Tramadol are the actual “painkillers” – they’re opiates made from the opium poppy and highly addictive with a huge abuse potential. They block pain receptors in the brain to offer immediate relief of severe pain but they don’t actually treat any causes of the pain.

Ibuprofen and naproxen are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID) and are suited for more regular use to treat swelling, muscle aches, headaches, cramps, and general inflammation of the body. Both are non habit forming and relatively safe.

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