What are Analgesics?

Definition: Analgesics are a class of drugs which are used to relieve pain. Unlike the various NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and the Cox-2 inhibitors, which help relieve both pain and inflammation, analgesics only target pain. A doctor may prescribe one of the analgesics in addition to one of the NSAIDs, when a patient still needs extra pain relief.

Acetaminophen ( the generic name of the drug found in such brands as Tylenol and Excedrin), is the most commonly used analgesic. Acetaminophen is available over-the-counter and also is often used in combination with other narcotic drugs in some of the stronger analgesics. For those who have severe arthritis pain, one of these analgesics may be prescribed:

• Acetaminophen ( Tylenol, Panadol, Tylenol Arthritis and Excedrin)


• Codeine and Codeine with Acetaminophen (Tylenol #2,3,4)


• Darvon (Propoxyphene)


• Darvocet (Propoxyphene with Acetaminophen)


• Duragesic (Fentanyl Skin Patch)


• Hydromorphone (Palladone)


• Morphine Sulphate (MS Contin)


• Oxycodone (OxyContin)


• Percocet (Oxycodone with Acetaminophen)


• Percodan (Oxycodone with Aspirin)


• Talwin NX (Pentazocine and Naloxone)


• Ultram (Tramadol)


• Ultracet (Tramadol with Acetaminophen)


• Vicodin (Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen)

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Take the: Pain Quiz: Acute Vs. Chronic Pain

Pronunciation: an-ul-geez-ik

Also Known As: pain relievers, pain pills, painkillers, pain killers, pain medications

Common Misspellings: analgesicks, anulgesic, anilgesic