HOW MEDICATIONS IMPACT PAIN

Managing chronic pain is an ongoing process and successful strategies will involve multiple different strategies. Medications may be one part of a care plan for chronic pain, but they should never be the only solution. While medications can be a helpful tool for managing pain, they can also carry significant risks. Discuss the risks and benefits of different types of medications with your prescriber to get a full understanding of which medications may be right for you.

HOW UNDERSTANDING MEDICATIONS CAN HELP

Understanding the risks and benefits of medications you may be taking can help you to set realistic expectations for managing your pain. Some important considerations to discuss with your prescriber are:

• “Is this a medication I take every day, or do I take it as needed?”
• “Can this medication be taken for a long time (chronically), or is this to take on a short-term basis (acutely)?”
• “Will this medication affect my ability to drive, work, take care of my children, or any other activity that is essential to my day to day life?”
• “Can I stop this medication whenever I want, or will I need your help to come off it?”
• “Are there any significant side effects I should know about?”