The most powerful pain relievers are opioids.
Strong opioids - these include tramadol, buprenorphine, methadone, diamorphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, and pethidine.
Both tramadol and codeine are prescription painkillers, and they seem to be equally effective in terms of pain relief. There is no evidence that tramadol is any stronger than codeine at relieving pain.
What is the strongest anti-inflammatory medication? Research shows diclofenac is the strongest and most effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine available.10 Diclofenec is sold under the prescription brand names Cambia, Cataflam, Zipsor, and Zorvolex.
Ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) are both NSAID pain relievers that are fast and effective at providing pain relief, reducing inflammation, and fighting a fever. Ibuprofen works in as little as 20 minutes, whereas naproxen needs about an hour to take effect.
Because ibuprofen has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it is more effective than paracetamol at controlling certain types of pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, period pain, and muscular injuries.
Prescription pain relievers are drugs prescribed by a medical professional to reduce pain. They are also known as opioid analgesics, opioid pain relievers, or prescription painkillers. Common examples include OxyContin®, Vicodin®, codeine and fentanyl.
The most common types of OTC pain medicines are acetaminophen, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor.
NSAIDs are often the go-to drugs for back pain relief. They can be purchased over the counter (or, in higher doses, by prescription) and include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). NSAIDs help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation in muscles and around damaged spinal discs or arthritic joints.
In order of strength (starting with the weakest) there are: non-opioid painkillers, such as paracetamol. mild opioids, such as codeine. strong opioids, such as morphine.
Acetaminophen is generally considered safer than other pain relievers. It doesn't cause side effects such as stomach pain and bleeding.
The evidence is that it probably does not work at all for chronic pain. Large, good and independent clinical trials and reviews from the Cochrane Library show paracetamol to be no better than placebo for chronic back pain or arthritis.
They come in different strengths: tablet – 500mg or 1g. capsule – 500mg. syrup you swallow (oral solution) – 120mg, 250mg or 500mg in 5ml.
Don't take more than the recommended dose if it isn't relieving your symptoms. Adults can take ibuprofen at the same time if necessary, but this isn't usually recommended for children. Contact your GP or phone NHS 24 111 service if your symptoms get worse or last more than 3 days despite taking paracetamol.
Opioids, such as hydrocodone, tramadol, and oxycodone, are strong pain-relieving medications available by prescription only. They are typically prescribed for severe acute pain, such as while recovering from surgery. Some people may take opioids for chronic pain, such as back pain.
Methocarbamol and diazepam, in combination with weight-based morphine, provided relief for acute back pain 60 min after administration but diazepam was slightly more effective.
Ibuprofen for adults (Nurofen)
Other brand names: Brufen, Calprofen, Fenbid, Ibugel, Ibuleve. Find out how ibuprofen treats pain and swelling (inflammation), and how to take it.
The primary difference is that ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), meaning that it treats inflammation. Paracetamol does not. For example, paracetamol can be taken to treat the pain of arthritis, but it will not treat the inflammation which is causing the pain.
Both products are effective anti-inflammatory agents, offer relief for mild to moderate pain and are antipyretic (fever reducing). However, the difference between your standard ibuprofen tablet and Nurofen is that with Nurofen you can purchase specific fast acting capsules which promise to treat your pain faster.
Opioids do provide relief by blocking pain. But as a result, your body reacts by increasing the number of receptors to try to get the pain signal through again. So when the drug wears off, you will experience more pain for about three days.