Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Pain-relief medicines

10-minute read

Key facts

  • There are many different medicines that can treat short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) pain.
  • Some pain-relief medicines are available over-the-counter, while for others, you need a prescription from your doctor.
  • The best way to manage long-term (chronic) pain is with a combination of pain medicines and non-medicine strategies, such as exercise and meditation.
  • Talk to your doctor if your medicines are not helping you manage your pain, or if you’re experiencing side effects.

What is pain-relief medicine?

Pain-relief medicines are used as part of a strategy to manage short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) pain. They work by targeting the cause of your pain or by reducing how your pain travels along the nerves to the brain.

What are the different types of pain-relief medicines?

As everyone’s experience of pain is different, individuals need different ways to help manage their pain. There are also specific pain-relief options that suit some circumstances or health conditions.

You can buy some pain-relief medicines 'over-the-counter' (OTC). This means you don’t need a prescription from your doctor to access them. Others are only available with a doctor’s prescription.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines include:

Your doctor may also prescribe a medicine, such as:

There are also many ways to manage pain that don’t involve medicines, such as:

Talk to your GP about the options or combinations that may be useful for you.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines

OTC medicines are medicines that you can buy without having a doctor’s prescription. Some types of OTC pain-relief medicine are available from a pharmacy and some shops. These are usually for mild-to-moderate pain.

There are 2 common types of OTC pain medicines:

  • Paracetamol is often recommended as the first medicine to try, if you have short-term pain.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a group of medicines that work by reducing swelling and inflammation, and relieving pain. These include aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac.

While OTC medicines are more easily accessed, they still carry risks. These medicines can sometimes cause unwanted side effects. If you take other medicines or substances, OTC pain-relief medicines can affect how your body responds to them. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on if it is safe to take OTC medicines for pain relief together with your other medicines.

Prescription medicines

You need a doctor's prescription to access certain medicines from a pharmacist. Dentists, some authorised nurses, and some other registered health professionals can also prescribe some medicines.

Prescription NSAIDs

Some NSAIDs, which you can buy over the counter in low doses, are available in higher strengths on a prescription (such as diclofenac and naproxen). Other NSAIDs (such as meloxicam) and COX-2 inhibitors (such as celecoxib) are only available with a prescription.

These medicines may not be suitable for people with:

Opioids

Opioids (such as oxycodone, morphine and codeine) can be used to treat moderate to severe short-term (acute) pain. Your doctor might prescribe them for pain relief after surgery or an injury, or for chronic pain in people with cancer.

Only use opioids that are prescribed for you, and for the pain condition your doctor prescribed them — never share opioid medicines.

There is no clear evidence that opioids are helpful in managing chronic non-cancer pain. Opioids can be addictive. They may also cause serious side effects such as life-threatening breathing problems.

Common side effects of opioids include:

The longer a person takes opioids, the more likely they are to experience unwanted side effects. It’s best to take opioids for the shortest period of time possible.

Anticonvulsant medicines

The anticonvulsant medicines gabapentin and pregabalin are commonly prescribed medicines for people with nerve pain (neuralgia) or for people with fibromyalgia.

Carbamazepine is also an anticonvulsant medicine that can help manage a type of severe pain in the face called trigeminal neuralgia.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants work by changing the way you experience pain. Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed to help manage certain types of chronic pain. For example they can help treat nerve pain (neuralgia) or pain caused by fibromyalgia.

Topical products

Some pain-relief medicines can be applied directly to the skin, at the site of your pain. These are called topical medicines, and examples include gels and creams. They can be helpful for short-term pain relief (for example, in osteoarthritis).

Topical pain medicines often contain NSAID-type medicines such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or piroxicam. They work by decreasing inflammation and swelling.

Capsaicin is an extract from chilli peppers that is also sometimes used in topical pain-relief medicines.

Small amounts of medicine can be absorbed into your bloodstream from topical products, so it is important to use the right amount. Always read the instructions on the package before use. You can also talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure what to do.

Supplements

Some people find that taking supplements can help them manage their chronic pain. Ask your pharmacist if there is evidence to support taking a supplement for your pain condition.

For chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis, some people find that taking glucosamine or chondroitin can help them.

There is also some evidence to suggest that taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement can help:

Other medicines

Other medicines used to help manage pain include the following:

Is taking long-term pain-relief medicines dangerous?

Regularly taking pain-relief medicines can be important in managing certain health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any side effects associated with your specific medicines. They can also recommend ways to help minimise any unwanted effects. This may involve taking a medicine at a particular time of day, or with food.

Some types of pain and health conditions, like chronic pain, may have non-medicine strategies that can help. Talk to your doctor to see if these methods could help you.

Do pain-relief medicines cause side effects?

Most medicines can cause some unwanted effects. You might experience side effects even if you take your pain medicines exactly as your doctor recommends.

Some side effects can settle down after you have been taking the medicine for a while. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you stop taking your medicines or change your dosage, so you fully understand what to expect.

Other medicines, such as opioids, can cause serious side effects at any time during their use. This includes potentially life-threatening breathing problems.

If you experience side effects that concern you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. Every medicine has its own list of possible side effects. More information about side effects of each medicine can be found in the consumer medicines information (CMI) leaflet in the package.

Can I become addicted to pain-relief medicines?

Most pain-relief medicines are not addictive. However, the risk of side effects may increase the longer you use them.

Opioid addiction

Pain-relief medicines that contain opioids carry a risk of addiction.

After taking opioid medicines even for a short while, you can become tolerant to the medicine. This means that over time, you need higher doses to achieve the same level of pain relief. The higher the dose of opioids you take, the greater the risk of unwanted and potentially dangerous effects.

It's also possible to become dependent on opioid medicines. This means that if you stop taking them you may experience withdrawal symptoms and start craving opioids.

Some people can become addicted to opioids. This means that they feel a compulsion (very strong urge) to take opioids even if the medicine is having a negative effect. Symptoms of addiction include uncontrollable cravings (being unable to control your opioid use), even if it's having a negative effect on personal relationships or finances.

WORRIED ABOUT YOUR OPIOID USE? — The Opioid Risk Indicator can help you find out if you may be developing a problem.

How can I use pain-relief medicines safely?

Here are some tips to help you use pain-relief medicines safely:

  • Make sure your doctor knows which medicines you are taking. This includes any medicines you bought over the counter at a pharmacy, or that another health practitioner has prescribed.
  • Make sure you understand how to use your medicines. Always take them as recommended by your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you’re not sure.
  • Talk to your doctor if your medicines are not helping you manage your pain, or if you are having problems with side effects.
  • Never share your medicines with other people, or try another person's medicine. Your doctor will chose the specific prescription medicines that is right for you, based on your circumstances. Medicines can be dangerous if used inappropriately.
  • Don't stop taking prescription pain-relief medicine suddenly. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how to stop or reduce your medicine.
  • Keep medicines in a safe place — out of children's reach.
  • Return any unused pain-relief medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

When should I see my doctor?

If you have been managing short-term pain with over-the counter (OTC) medicines but your pain persists — or you are not sure how to cope with your pain at home — you should speak to your doctor.

You should also talk to your doctor if your medicines are not helping you control your pain, or if you're experiencing side effects.

If you need urgent advice, but your doctor is not available, speak with your local pharmacist.

If you are worried that you or someone you know is becoming addicted to pain medicine or is using it in a way that their doctor has not recommended, speak with your doctor or encourage them to seek help.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Pain Question Planner to prepare for your doctor’s appointment.

Resources and support

  • Call 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) to talk about the medicines you are taking for your pain.
  • Discuss your pain on the Pain Link helpline on 1300 340 357, which is staffed by volunteers with personal experience of chronic pain.
  • Go to Painaustralia to find pain services and programs in your area.
  • Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: May 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Information for consumers - Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Care Standard | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

What are opioid analgesics?

Read more on Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care website

Opioids to treat long-lasting pain - RACGP

Reproduced with permission from The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. This information sheet is for you if you have a painful condition that has lasted for more than a few weeks and you would like to understand more about using opioid medication to relieve your pain.

Read more on RACGP - The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners website

Topical medicines for musculoskeletal pain

Topical analgesics are rubbed in to the skin for the temporary relief of muscle or joint pain. Find out more about these over-counter-medicines

Read more on NPS MedicineWise website

Codeine - Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Codeine is part of a group of drugs known as opioids which interact with receptors in the brain and can elicit feelings of pain relief, to relaxation, pleasure and contentment.

Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website

Heroin - Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Heroin is part of a group of drugs known as opioids which interact with opioid receptors in the brain and can elicit feelings of pain relief, to relaxation, pleasure and contentment.

Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website

Oxycodone - Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Oxycodone hydrochloride is part of a group of drugs known as opioids. Opioids interact with opioid receptors in the brain and elicit a range of responses within the body, from feelings of pain relief, to relaxation, pleasure and contentment.

Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website

Fentanyl - Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Fentanyl is part of a group of drugs known as opioids. Opioids interact with opioid receptors in the brain and elicit a range of responses within the body; from feelings of pain relief, to relaxation, pleasure and contentment.

Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website

Medicines for babies and children

Get practical and reliable advice on giving your sick infant or child medicine, including help with measuring dosage and managing side effects.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Prescription opioids hub | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

Find information on safe and effective prescribing and use of opioids.

Read more on TGA – Therapeutic Goods Administration website

Sore throat treatments - MyDr.com.au

Find out about sore throat treatments including self-help measures, painkillers, lozenges, and when antibiotics are needed.

Read more on myDr website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.