When I was a kid, everyone 'knew' painkillers were bad for you. They popped your kidneys, and famous people were addicted to them - Michael Jackson included.
When you have something like arthritis, painkillers are what all orthopaedic surgeons give you ... right?
Perhaps it’s time to clear up a common misconception -I will stop using the word painkillers and I suggest you stop using it too – it creates too much confusion.
Medicines that reduce pain are broadly divided (from an orthopaedic point of view) into those that reduce inflammation (anti-inflammatories) and those that just stop you from feeling pain (analgesics).
The technical name for anti-inflammatories is Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs or NSAIDs (Pronounced 'En-Seds').
If inflammation (e.g. in the knee joint) is the main cause of your pain and stiffness, then a short course of NSAIDs can be useful to reduce the pain and reduce the swelling inside your knee. However more than one type of NSAID should NEVER be taken TOGETHER (except for paracetamol) because taking them together can cause bad side effects - like stomach ulcers or worse.
Examples of NSAIDs commonly prescribed in Malaysia are Celecoxib (Celebrex), Etoricoxib (Arcoxia), Diclofenac (Voltaren), Ibuprofen (Brufen)… and yes, Paracetamol (Panadol) (which is a slightly weaker NSAID). The names in the brackets are trade names (kind of like brand names).
Always remember to check with your friendly orthopaedic surgeon or doctor before taking any medicines.
Next in this series :
The Side Effects of NSAIDS - When medicines can kill you.
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