Post-operation Pain Management

Uses

Handling

For more information

Uses

What is Post-operation Pain Management for?

Categories	Example of Medications	Indication	Precautions/Contraindications
Non-opioid analgesics
Paracetamol and its combination products	Paracetamol (Panadol®)	Mild to moderate Pain	Existing Liver Condition
	Paracetamol and Codeine (Panadeine®)	Moderate Pain	Existing Liver Condition Not recommended to use in <18 years old
	Paracetamol and Orphenadrine (Anarex®)	Pain with muscle relaxant effect	Existing Liver Condition Glaucoma Prostate Problem
NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory) 1. Non-Selective NSAIDs	Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Ketoprofen, Mefenamic Acid, etc	Pain associated with inflammation	History of NSAIDs allergy Uncontrolled asthma History of cardiovascular (heart) events Poor kidney function Recent stomach ulceration or bleed
2. COX-2 Selective NSAIDs	Celecoxib (Celebrex®), Etoricoxib (Arcoxia®)
GABA Analog	Gabapentin, Pregabalin (Lyrica®)		Drowsiness Dizziness Poor kidney function
Opioid
Weak opioid	Tramadol, Codeine	Moderate Pain	Risk of dependence Drowsiness Constipation Poor kidney function
Strong opioid	Morphine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Pethidine	Severe Pain	For more information click here to read more on opioids

How should I take or use Post-operation Pain Management?

Initially when the pain is constantly experienced, you may regularly take the pain medicine corresponding to the severity of pain that you experience
As the wound heals, the frequency and severity of pain experienced would reduce as well. Hence you may then take the pain relief medicine only as and when needed.
If the pain is still unrelieved after one hour of taking the medicine, you may add another pain medicine belonging to a different category.
Always ask your pharmacist or doctor on how to manage your pain if you are unsure about the frequency of taking or even the indication for each pain medication.

Handling

How should I store Post-operation Pain Management?

Keep away from children
Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight
Store at room temperature

For more information

What else should I know about Post-operation Pain Management?

For more information, can click to read more on Opioids.

What is post-operation pain management ?

After an operation, pain is usually experienced due to damage to the tissues and nerves. The pain is usually more severe initially and resolves over time as the wound recovers. Unrelieved pain can interfere with sleep and physical functioning that can negatively affect patient's well-being on multiple levels. Hence doctors will always prescribe medicine to manage pain so as to minimise any discomfort that the patient may experience during recovery. Analgesics act by different mechanism and at different receptor sites can be combined to produce additive or synergistic pain relief and reduce opioid use. They may be available in injectable, topical or oral forms.

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System, and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity, and Watsons), and the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Contributed by

Singapore General Hospital

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Related Medicines or Drugs

Celecoxib Codeine Phosphate Etoricoxib Fentanyl Gabapentin Ibuprofen Ketoprofen Mefenamic Acid Morphine Sulfate Naproxen Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Oxycodone Hydrochloride Paracetamol Pethidine Hydrochloride Pregabalin Tramadol Hydrochloride

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