The medications indicated to relieve pain are analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, which should only be used if recommended by the doctor or a health professional. Depending on the situation to be treated, in justified cases, the doctor may also decide to combine other remedies, such as muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, antidepressants or anticonvulsants, for greater treatment effectiveness.

Although over-the-counter medications can be used under the guidance of the pharmacist, it is always important to talk to the doctor about painful symptoms, especially if they last for a long time and if they are very intense, as they may be a sign of a more serious health condition that may be being masked with the use of that type of medication. In relation to drugs indicated for chronic pain, postoperative pain or other more severe pain cases, they must be prescribed by the doctor only and exclusively.

In cases of mild to moderate pain, some of the remedies that may be recommended are:

1. Remedies for sore throat

Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain
Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain

Throat pain and inflammation can be relieved with the following remedies:

  • Analgesics, such as paracetamol (Tylenol) or dipyrone (Novalgina);
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Ibupril), diclofenac (Voltaren) or nimesulide (Neosulide, Nimesilam);
  • Local analgesics and anesthetics, usually in the form of sucking tablets, such as benzidamine (Ciflogex) or benzocaine (Neopiridin).

These remedies should be used according to the doctor’s recommendation or according to the dosage of the package insert and, if there is no improvement in sore throat after 2 days or other symptoms such as fever and chills, for example, it is advisable to consult a doctor general, or an otolaryngologist, because the pain may be caused by tonsillitis or pharyngitis, for example, which may need to be treated with an antibiotic.

2. Remedies for toothache

Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain
Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain

Toothache can appear suddenly, and can be caused by the presence of caries, inflammation of the gums or an abscess and, therefore, you should go to the dentist as soon as possible. However, to relieve severe pain, the person can use analgesics, anti-inflammatories or local anesthetics:

  • Analgesics, such as paracetamol (Tylenol) or dipyrone (Novalgina);
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Ibupril), diclofenac (Voltaren) or nimesulide (Neosulide, Nimesilam);
  • Local anesthetics, usually in spray form, such as benzocaine (Neopiridin).

In addition to these remedies, the dentist may decide to have an intervention on the tooth and, in some cases, it may still be necessary to prescribe antibiotics.

3. Remedies for ear pain

Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain
Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain

Ear pain should always be assessed by an otolaryngologist because, in most cases, it is caused by an infection within the ear canal that must be treated with the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Some of the remedies that can be used to relieve pain are:

  • Analgesics, such as paracetamol (Tylenol) or dipyrone (Novalgina);
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Ibupril), diclofenac (Voltaren) or nimesulide (Neosulide, Nimesilam);
  • Wax removers in drops, such as Cerumin, if the pain is caused by the accumulation of excess wax.

4. Remedies for stomach pain

Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain
Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain

Stomach pain can be caused by irritation of the gastric mucosa or by excess food inside the stomach, and different types of medication can be used, depending on the symptoms presented and only if recommended by the doctor:

  • Antacids, with aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate, such as Estomazil, Pepsamar or Maalox;
  • Inhibitors of acid production, such as omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole;
  • Accelerators for emptying the stomach, such as domperidone (Motilium, Domperix) or metoclopramide (Plasil);
  • Gastric protectors, such as sucralfate (Sucrafilm).

If the pain lasts for more than 1 week, you should go to the general practitioner or gastroenterologist again for diagnostic tests.

5. Remedies for back / muscle pain

Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain
Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain

Back pain is very often the result of poor posture or over-training at the gym, which can easily be relieved. However, in some cases, it can be a sign of a more serious condition that should be seen by the doctor.

The medications that are usually prescribed by the doctor for back pain are:

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Ibupril), naproxen (Flanax), diclofenac (Voltaren) or celecoxibe (Celebra), indicated for mild to moderate pain;
  • Analgesics, such as paracetamol (Tylenol) or dipyrone (Novalgina), for example, indicated for mild pain;
  • Muscle relaxants, such as thiocolchicoside, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride or diazepam, which are also available in combination with analgesics, such as Bioflex or Ana-flex, which help to relax the muscle and reduce pain;
  • Opioids, such as codeine and tramadol, for the most severe pain, and in very severe cases, the doctor may recommend even stronger opioids;

In addition, in mild cases, local application of a gel or an anti-inflammatory plaster may be sufficient.

In more severe cases of chronic pain, and where justified, the doctor may also prescribe tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, for example. In cases where other medications are not sufficient to relieve pain, cortisone injections may also be necessary.

6. Remedies for headache

Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain
Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain

Headache is a very common symptom, as it can be caused by various causes such as fever, excessive stress or tiredness, for example. Some of the most used drugs to relieve headache are:

  • Analgesics, such as paracetamol (Tylenol) or dipyrone (Novalgina);
  • Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Ibupril) or acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin);

Although the headache may improve after using these remedies, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner when it takes more than 3 days to pass, when the pain is very common or when other symptoms such as excessive tiredness, pain in other parts of the body, increased fever or confusion, for example.

7. Remedies for menstrual cramps

Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain
Remedies for the 7 Most Common Types of Pain

Menstrual cramps are caused by excessive contraction of the female reproductive organs or by swelling. Some of the remedies that can be used are:

  • Analgesics, such as paracetamol (Tylenol) or dipyrone (Novalgina);
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Ibupril), diclofenac (Voltaren), mefenamic acid (Ponstan), ketoprofen (Profenid, Algie), naproxen (Flanax, Naxotec);
  • Antispasmodics, such as scopolamine (Buscopan);
  • Hormonal contraceptives, which also lead to a decrease in prostaglandins in the uterus, reducing menstrual flow and relieving pain.