Narcotics directly affect the pain receptors in the central nervous system. They require a doctor's prescription. This is because narcotics can be addictive and sometimes, abused. People who receive these medication usually have intense pain that requires stronger medicine. Unfortunately, narcotics often don't work well for arthritis and many back injuries.
Some prescription medications work by changing the way the brain receives pain signals.
These include tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline. These medications are often helpful for people with nerve damage and other types of chronic pain . Seizure medicine, such as gabapentin, may also be useful for chronic pain. These people should talk to their healthcare provider. Pain can be a sign of a serious problem.