Pain Medications List (Non-Narcotic)
- Simple (Non-Opioid) Analgesics
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Combination Pain Relievers
- Topical Analgesics
- Topical Anesthetics
- Medications for Neuropathic Pain
- Medications for Fibromyalgia
- See Opioid Analgesics
Based on "Essential Pain Pharmacology"
written by Howard S. Smith, MD; Marco Pappagallo, MD
Many types of analgesics and adjunct agents are available for addressing different pain conditions. Pain medications share their mechanism of action. They all provide analgesic effect by interfering with the pain signaling cascade.
Following is a complete list of pain medications organized by classes and types. The listing is regularly updated and includes latest new drug approvals.
Simple (Non-Opioid) Analgesics
| Generic | Brand Name | Legal status |
|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen (paracetamol) | Tylenol | OTC |
Acetaminophen is appropriate for mild to moderate pain. Acetaminophen has very few side effects, low incidence of hypersensitivity reactions, and is relatively inexpensive. Acetaminophen does not produce addiction or tolerance.
The main issue with acetaminophen is a risk of serious hepatotoxicity with overdose.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
| Generic | Brand Name | Legal status |
|---|---|---|
| Aspirin | OTC | |
| Bromfenac | Prolensa, Bromday | Rx |
| Diclofenac | Cataflam, Voltaren, Zipsor | Rx |
| Diflunisal | Dolobid | Rx |
| Etodolac | Lodine, Lodine XL | Rx |
| Fenoprofen | Nalfon | Rx |
| Flurbiprofen | Ansaid | Rx |
| Ibuprofen | Advil, Cramp End, Dolgesic, Excedrin IB, Genpril, Haltran, Ibren, Ibu, Ibuprin, Ibuprohm, Ibu-Tab, Medipren, Midol IB, Motrin, Nuprin, Pamprin-IB, Q-Profen, Rufen, Trendar | OTC, Rx |
| Indomethacin | Indocin, Indocin SR, Tivorbex | Rx |
| Ketoprofen | Actron, Orudis, Oruvail | OTC, Rx |
| Ketorolac | Toradol, Sprix | Rx |
| Meclofenamate | Meclomen | Rx |
| Mefenamic Acid | Ponstel | Rx |
| Meloxicam | Mobic, Vivlodex | Rx |
| Nabumetone | Relafen | Rx |
| Naproxen | Aleve, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, EC-Naprosyn, Naprelan, Naprosyn |
OTC, Rx |
| Nepafenac | Nevanac | Rx |
| Oxaprozin | Daypro | Rx |
| Phenylbutazone | Cotylbutazone | Rx |
| Piroxicam | Feldene | Rx |
| Sulindac | Clinoril | Rx |
| Tolmetin | Tolectin, Tolectin DS | Rx |
| COX-2 Inhibitors | ||
| Celecoxib | Celebrex | Rx |
| See also list of NSAIDs by type | ||
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs represent a wide class of pain relievers. All NSAIDs have varying degrees of anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties as well as different side effects, time to onset of action, and duration of action. NSAIDs are used primarily to treat inflammation, mild to moderate pain, and fever. Aspirin is used to prevent blood clotting.
Combination Pain Relievers
| Generic | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine | Femcet, Fioricet, Esgic, Esgic-Plus |
| Butalbital, Aspirin, and Caffeine | Fiorinal |
| Butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine | Fioricet with Codeine |
Topical Analgesics
| Generic | Brand Name | Legal status |
|---|---|---|
| Capsaicin | ArthriCare, ARTH-RX, Axsain, Capsagel, Dura-Patch, Methacin, Qutenza, Zotrix, Zotrix-HP | OTC |
Topical Anesthetics
While analgesics lessen the sensation of pain, anesthetics block all physical feelings, including pain.
| Generic | Brand Name | Legal status |
|---|---|---|
| Benzocaine | Americaine, Endocaine, Lagol | OTC |
| Benzocaine / Menthol | Benzocol, Butyl Aminobenzoate, Dermoplast | OTC |
| Dibucaine | Cinchocaine, Nupercainal Cream, Nupercainal Oinment | OTC, Rx |
| Lidocaine | LidaMantle, Lidoderm, Lignocainem, Xylocaine | Rx |
| Lidocaine/ Prilocaine | EMLA | Rx |
Medications for Neuropathic Pain
List of drugs approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes (nerve pain):
| Generic | Brand Name | Legal status |
|---|---|---|
| Carbamazepine | Tegretol6 | Rx |
| Duloxetine | Cymbalta3 | Rx |
| Gabapentin | Neurontin7 | Rx |
| Lidocaine patch | Lidoderm8 | Rx |
| Pregabalin | Lyrica5 | Rx, Sch.V |
Medications for Fibromyalgia
Symptoms of fibromyalgia are managed with pain relievers, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and sleep medicines.
List of medications approved by the U.S. FDA specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia:
| Generic | Brand Name | Legal status |
|---|---|---|
| Duloxetine | Cymbalta3 | Rx |
| Milnacipran | Savella4 | Rx |
| Pregabalin | Lyrica5 | Rx, Sch.V |
Related resources
Resources
- 1. New FDA Approved Drugs CenterWatch
- 2. The Essence of Analgesia and Analgesics. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press; 2011: pp. 211-262.
- 3. Cymbalta Prescribing Information. Available at PDF
- 4. Savella Prescribing Information. Available at PDF
- 5. Lyrica Prescribing Information. Available at PDF
- 6. Tegretol Prescribing Information. Available at PDF
- 7. Neurontin Prescribing Information. Available at PDF
- 8. Lidoderm Prescribing Information. Available at PDF
Last updated: August 06, 2018
