To be most effective in alleviating pain, medications should be administered before pain appears and certainly before it worsens. Pain medications should be administered prior to painful procedures or before the performance of an activity that may be painful, such as deep breathing exercises after a spine fusion. As stated earlier, it is easier to prevent pain rather than to attempt to alleviate it. Pain medications should be administered in an acceptable manner that is less uncomfortable than the pain itself. Ideally, they should be administered orally, intravenously, or under the tongue.
Medications taken orally are generally the least expensive and most convenient alternative.
Intramuscular injections are painful and may be a last resort. Aspirin, ibuprofen, naprosyn sodium, and acetaminophen can effectively relieve pain. While these medications are relatively safe, they can still cause side effects, such as stomach upset, and may result in complications from excessive dosing or prolonged administration. For this reason, these medications should be taken according to the doctor's or manufacturers' directions. Before increasing the frequency of use or the dosage, the person should first check with the doctor or pharmacist.