Second Floor
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
805-497-8616
Treatment Options
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Oral Medications: By Prescription and Over-the-counter
Therapeutic Relief for Chronic Pain Sufferers
Pain that lasts for 3-6 months is considered sub-acute, and when pain persists longer than 3-6 months, is considered to be chronic pain. Pain can make life difficult and sometimes miserable. Our medical team understands that different disorders are painful and want to help you manage your pain and related symptoms.
There are different types of pain syndromes, and medications can help with the symptoms to varying extent. Most pain medications have side effects that need appropriate management.
Medication - Overview
Listed below are common types of drugs prescribed or recommended and available over-the-counter (OTC) to treat symptoms. Sometimes, drugs are combined, such as an NSAID and muscle relaxant or opiates. Your doctor will explain which medications you can and cannot combine, as well as other information about drugs to treat your particular problem.
| Type | Purpose |
| Narcotics (Opioids) | Short-term acute pain control |
| Muscle relaxants | Relieve muscle spasms and cramping |
| NSAIDs* | Reduce inflammation and pain |
| Sedatives | Promote sleep |
| Transdermal analgesics | Pain control delivered through a patch |
*Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Narcotics (Opioids)
Narcotics are used for a short time to control acute pain. Acute pain is sometimes described as severe and sharp, such as pain after surgery.
Narcotics taken for a long time may cause your body to develop a drug tolerance, meaning it takes a larger dose to control pain. Under certain conditions, long term opiates are prescribed for patients in chronic pain who understand the strict parameters in our office for these medications. - Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle tightness, spasms, and cramping. Acting on the central nervous system, these drugs cause a relaxing effect in muscles. At times these medications cause sedation. - Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Many spinal disorders cause soft tissue inflammation. A herniated disc can cause spinal nerve inflammation and pain. Whiplash or overuse injuries also affect soft tissues and cause swelling and muscle pain. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce inflammation and pain. We try to keep the course for these meds limited due to the expected side effects from long term use. - Sedatives
Back or neck pain can make getting to and staying sleep difficult. Your doctor understands this and may prescribe a sedative to help you sleep. These drugs should not be taken long-term, as they can be habit-forming. - Transdermal Analgesics
Certain pain-relieving drugs are available in transdermal patch form. The drug is delivered over time through the skin. Transdermal patches help some patients avoid the gastrointestinal consequences of oral medication.
Side Effects
Whether your medication is prescribed (Rx) or over-the-counter, there are risks -- side effects, drug interactions, and liver damage. Therefore, be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies, current medications taken (Rx and OTC), and vitamin and herb use. When you obtain a new medication, take time to read the information provided by your pharmacist or on the label. It is helpful to have a list of your medications with for all your doctors.
There are certain side effects you should immediately report to your doctor or present to the emergency room. Such as:
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Pain Diary
We recommend you keep a daily journal of your pain level and other symptoms. The pain diary will help you provide your doctor with detailed information about your treatment progress when you come back for your follow-up office visit.
This information will help us adjust your medications appropriately. Pain medications will never provide 100% pain relief, and can cause side effects. We will work closely with you to optimize your pain medications.
You may want to rate your pain each day (morning, noon, evening) on a scale of zero (no pain) to 5 (moderate pain) to 10 (worse pain possible). Also, make a note of:
- activities that make pain better or worse
- side effects (i.e. nausea, vomiting, constipation)
- amount of medication take and when
Conclusion
Our practice is committed to helping patients in our care to relieve pain and symptoms. We carefully and thoroughly assess your condition and treatment progress so the medications prescribed or recommended help you quickly for a safe recovery.
