Narcotic pain relievers for acute neck pain

Narcotic pain relievers for acute neck pain
Examples
How It Works
Why It Is Used
How Well It Works
Side Effects
What To Think About
References
Credits

Content provided by Healthwise

Examples

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Lortab	acetaminophen and hydrocodone

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Percocet	acetaminophen and oxycodone

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Percodan	aspirin and oxycodone

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Percodan	codeine sulfate

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Rescudose	morphine

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Percolone	oxycodone

How It Works

Narcotic medications relieve pain by altering the way you feel pain.

Why It Is Used

Narcotics are recommended only for short-term treatment of severe, sudden (acute) neck pain.

Because these medications are potentially addictive, they are usually prescribed for a limited time (1 to 2 weeks).

How Well It Works

Using narcotic medications to treat neck pain is not well-studied.¹

When a narcotic does relieve pain, it becomes less effective over time. The body becomes more tolerant of narcotic medication, and then a normal narcotic dosage provides less effective pain relief.

Side Effects

Side effects include:

Drug addiction/dependence.
Confusion.
Drowsiness.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Constipation.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Narcotics are not intended for use “until all the pain goes away.” They are intended to be used only for a few days at the most. Your health professional will probably only prescribe enough to get you through the most severe pain.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations
Binder A (2005). Neck pain, search date May 2005. Online version of Clinical Evidence (14): 1–22.

Credits

Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Associate Editor	Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
Last Updated	August 24, 2006

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Last updated:	August 24, 2006
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
Editors:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW, Terrina Vail

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