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Regional Anesthesia & Pain Management (RAPM)
Patient Information
Medications for Pain Control
When should I ask for pain medicine?
- Before your pain becomes very bad. When your pain becomes very bad, it will take more time to get the pain under control and you will need much more pain medicine.
- Before any exercise, movement or physiotherapy that you know will increase your pain.
- Talk to your nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist about the best timing for your pain medicine.
Who will check to make sure my pain is controlled after my operation?
You should be able to tell your doctor and nurse how satisfied you are with your pain control. Your nurse will frequently check to see how much pain you have. If the Acute Pain Service team has been asked to help they will also see you at least once a day while you are in hospital.
What about the use of anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin?
At the University Health Network, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to prevent and control pain. You may be given medication like naproxen or ibuprofen before your operation to lower the amount of pain you experience. These medications also decrease the amount of morphine you need, which reduces the chance of side effects like nausea and vomiting.
We often use newer NSAIDs like Celebrex® and Vioxx® because there is less risk of stomach ulcers compared to the older NSAIDs. They will also not affect your proper blood clotting. However, not all people can be given NSAIDs. You will discuss this option with your doctor or Acute Pain Service team member to decide if you should use them.
What about acetaminophen (Tylenol®)?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a non-narcotic medication often used to help control mild to moderate pain. You should let your doctor know if you have liver problems because the main problem with acetaminophen is liver toxicity. For most adults, the maximum dose of acetaminophen after surgery is 4 grams per day. Smaller doses are given to the elderly or those with serious medical problems such as heart failure, kidney or liver failure.
