Some analgesics combine both mild non-opioid drugs such as aspirin or paracetamol, with a small amount of opioid in a single tablet. These combination analgesics are often prescribed to people who are not benefiting sufficiently from non-opioids alone. People who experience migraines may use combination analgesics. Some combination analgesics are: 

• Aspirin with codeine,
• Dextropropoxyphene with paracetamol,
• Dihydrocodeine with paracetamol,
• Paracetamol with codeine.

How it works

Different analgesics work in different ways. Some work by easing pain at the site of the injury (NSAIDS), while others block the pain signals from nerve endings to the brain. It is not completely understood how all analgesics work. Analgesics are often used in tablet or capsule form, but they are also available as liquids, suppositories (drugs inserted into the rectum and absorbed by the blood vessels in the rectal wall), and as injections.

Advantages

Analgesics are a quick and effective way of coping with mild to severe pain. Most analgesics take from 30 to 60 minutes to start working if taken in tablet form, although intravenous or injected painkillers are often much quicker to take effect.

What it is used for

Analgesics are used primarily for pain relief. They treat the symptoms of a condition rather than the condition itself. Some pain-relieving drugs have other properties too. For example, aspirin can be used to ease inflammation (swelling) and is also used to reduce the risk of blood clots (thromboses) forming. Paracetomol is also used to reduce a high temperature or fever.

Who can use it?

It is always best to find out what the problem is before treating the symptoms. In other words, just taking analgesics may relieve pain but it may also hide the cause of the pain and could make the problem worse. Visit your GP if you are experiencing prolonged pain, or pain that cannot be relieved by non-opioid analgesics. Some drugs should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Although some analgesics are considered safe for pregnant or breast feeding women to use, if you are pregnant it is always best to consult your GP or midwife before taking any kind of medication.

Children under 16 years old should not take aspirin as it may increase the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a condition that affects the brain and liver.You should consult your GP before taking analgesics if you are already taking other forms of medication. Even mild non-opioids such as paracetamol may cause serious health problems in large quantities, so it is best to make sure that your current medication does not contain analgesics, or contents that may react adversely with analgesics.

Opioids may make you feel drowsy and should not be taken in conjunction with other drugs that have similar effects. Alcohol should be avoided while taking analgesics.You should consult your GP before taking analgesics (including over-the-counter painkillers) if you have, or have had, any of the following conditions: 

• liver, kidney or prostate problems, 
• asthma, 
• bronchitis, 
• heart or circulation problems, 
• ulcers, 
• glaucoma, and 
• epilepsy.