Your healthcare team can usually control pain well with painkillers. There are different painkillers for different types of pain. These include:
- mild painkillers, such as paracetamol
- moderately strong painkillers, such as codeine
- strong painkillers, such as tramadol, morphine and oxycodone
- anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and diclofenac
- painkillers for nerve pain, such as gabapentin, pregabalin and amitriptyline.
Different painkillers can be given in different ways including:
- tablets
- liquid medicines
- patches stuck onto the skin
- injections under the skin or through a syringe pump.
You may need more than 1 type of painkiller to get the best effect. Some people need to take larger doses of strong painkillers as they near the end of their life. This is quite normal and safe. Your healthcare team will tell you about your dose of painkillers.
It is important to take your painkillers regularly as your doctors and nurses tell you. Tell them if your pain is not controlled. They can change the dose or may suggest a different painkiller.
Syringe pumps
A syringe pump is a small portable pump used to give medicines. It is also called a syringe driver.
A syringe pump may be used if you cannot take medicines by mouth. For example, if you have difficulty swallowing. A syringe pump may also be used if your body is not able to break down and use medicines taken by mouth. You can have painkillers, anti-sickness medicines, anti-anxiety medicines and several other medicines through a syringe pump.
A syringe holding the medicines is attached to the pump. The pump delivers a continuous dose of the drugs from the syringe through a small, thin needle. The needle is put in just under your skin and held in place with a clear dressing. It is usually placed in your arm, leg or tummy. Usually each syringe has enough medicine for 24 hours. The pump is usually put in a clear, locked box to protect it.
Your nurse will set up a syringe pump for you. Your nurses can change the syringe when needed, usually every 24 hours.
Side effects of painkillers
Painkillers such as codeine, tramadol, morphine and oxycodone have 3 common side effects:
- drowsiness – this usually goes away after a few days
- sickness – this usually gets better over a few days
- constipation – you often need to take a laxative regularly.
We have more information about managing pain.
