Acetaminophen is a drug that reduces fever and relieves pain. It is available alone, or in combination with hundreds of other drugs available both over-the-counter (without a prescription) or that that may require a prescription from your doctor, for example, acetaminophen and hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco) or acetaminophen and oxycodone (Percocet).

Acetaminophen treats a variety of diseases or other medical problems that cause pain or fever. Examples of conditions acetaminophen treats include, headache, minor arthritis pain, back pain, tooth pain, menstrual cramps, PMS, osteoarthritis, common cold, tension headache, chronic pain, hip pain, shoulder and neck pain, sore throat, sinus infection, teething, TMJ, bites and stings, and sprains and strains.

Acetaminophen generally has no side effects when taken as prescribed. When side effects are experienced, the most common are headache, rash, and nausea.

In 2014, the FDA recommended that doctors and other health care professionals only prescribe acetaminophen in doses of 325 mg or less. This warning highlights the potential for allergic reactions, for example, face, mouth, and throat swelling, difficulty breathing, itching, or rash. This action also will help reduce the risk of severe liver injury and serious allergic reactions associated with this drug. Other possible serious side effects adverse effects include anemia, kidney damage, thrombocytopenia (a reduced number of platelets in the blood), and liver problems.

Other patient information. Do not take more than one product that contains acetaminophen at the same time. Do not take more than one acetaminophen-containing drug than directed. Do not drink alcohol while taking medicine that contains acetaminophen due to severe liver damage.

REFERENCE: FDA Prescribing Information.

There are numerous causes of chronic lower back pain and only one ailment gets more complaints. What is it? Quiz your knowledge of symptoms, treatments, problems, and reasons for common back pain.

Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.

Cancer pain results from the tumor pressing on nerves or invading bones or organs. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery can also cause pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, radiation, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques are just some treatments for cancer pain.

Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to acute pain that arises suddenly in response to a specific injury and is usually treatable, chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments.

Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) is the cause of many cancer deaths. Learn about the warning signs, symptoms, screening process, stages, and treatment related to colorectal cancer.

Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) and morphine are both opioid narcotic pain relievers. Dilaudid is a brand name. Brand names of morphine include Astramorph, Duramorph, Infumorph, and Avinza. Side effects of both Dilaudid and morphine are similar and include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• itching,
• drowsiness,
• addiction, and
• dizziness.

Kidney pain has a variety of causes and symptoms. Infection, injury, trauma, bleeding disorders, kidney stones, and less common conditions may lead to kidney pain. Symptoms associated with kidney pain may include

• fever,
• vomiting,
• nausea,
• flank pain, and
• painful urination.

Treatment of kidney pain depends on the cause of the pain.

Learn about lung cancer symptoms and treatments. Get more information on small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and the diagnosis of lung cancer stages.

Myofascial pain syndrome is muscle pain in the body's soft tissues due to injury or strain. Symptoms include muscle pain with tender points and fatigue. Treatment usually involves physical therapy, massage therapy, or trigger point injection.

Narcotic analgesics (also called opioids) are medications prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Examples (list) include:

• codeine
• hydrocodone
• OxyContin
• Roxicodone
• methadone
• morphine
• Dialudid
• fentanyl

Side effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Itching
• Addiction
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Nausea

Drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information are provided.

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Oxycodone (brand names OxyContin, Roxicodone, Oxecta, Oxaydo, Xtampza ER, Roxybond) is a narcotic pain-reliever prescribed for moderate to moderately severe pain. Some side effects include lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and constipation. Drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy and breastfeeding information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.

Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen, Roxicet, Tylox, Oxycet) is a drug prescribed for the relief of moderate to moderately-severe pain. Common side effects may include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness
• Sleepiness
• Dizziness

Drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication. The brand name Endocet has been discontinued.

Other brand names for oxycodone and acetaminophen are Roxicet, Tylox, Oxycet, Roxilox.

Oxycodone and tramadol are prescription medications used to manage acute and chronic moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone is an opiate (narcotic) derived drug whereas tramadol is a man-made synthetic drug. Tramadol is not a narcotic, and it is not a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs). Some of the side effects of oxycodone and tramadol are the same, for example:

• Headache
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth

Serious side effects for oxycodone and tramadol differ. Oxycodone and tramadol are habit forming drugs and patients may become addicted. Withdrawal symptoms include:

• Rigors
• Pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Tremor
• Hallucinations

Drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information differs for these drugs and should be reviewed prior to administration.

Oxycodone and hydrocodone are prescription opioid pain medications, both of which are controlled substances. Both drugs have similar uses and side effects, for example dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, constipation, headache, and rash.

Oxycodone and hydrocodone addictive and may cause withdrawal symptoms if discontinued abruptly.

Both oxycodone and hydrocodone are available in combination with other drugs. Examples of brand names include Percocet, Vicodin, and Zohydro ER.

Drug interactions, dosage, uses, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

Pain management and treatment can be simple or complex, according to its cause. There are two basic types of pain, nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Some causes of neuropathic pain include:

• complex regional pain syndrome,
• interstitial cystitis,
• and irritable bowel syndrome.

There are a variety of methods to treat chronic pain, which are dependant on the type of pain experienced.

Natural menopause is the permanent ending of menstruation that is not brought on by any type of medical treatment. For women undergoing natural menopause, the process is described in three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. However, not all women undergo natural menopause. Some women experience induced menopause as a result of surgery or medical treatments, such as chemotherapy and pelvic radiation therapy.

Is pain all in the brain? Take the Pain Quiz to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about the unpleasant sensation we call pain.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Learn the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, along with causes and treatments. Know the stages, survival rates and lower your risk of prostate cancer.

What causes skin cancer? Take our Skin Cancer Quiz to learn about the risks, symptoms, causes, and treatments for this common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide.

Tramadol hydrochloride (Ultram) is a centrally acting opioid painkiller (analgesic) indicated for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain in adults. Pain relief (analgesia) begins approximately within one hour after administration and reaches a peak in approximately two to three hours. Apart from analgesia, tramadol administration may produce a constellation of symptoms (including dizziness, somnolence, nausea, constipation, sweating and pruritus) similar to that of other opioids. In contrast to morphine, tramadol has not been shown to cause histamine release. At therapeutic doses, tramadol has no effect on heart rate, left-ventricular function or cardiac index. Orthostatic hypotension has been observed.

Side effects of tramadol include:

• Dizziness/spinning sensation (vertigo)
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Itching
• Central nervous system (CNS) stimulation
• Weakness/lack of energy
• Sweating
• Indigestion/heartburn
• Dry Mouth
• Diarrhea

The dosage of tramadol should be started at 25 mg/day in the morning, and adjusted in 25 mg increments as separate doses every 3 days to reach 100 mg/day (25 mg four times daily). Thereafter the total daily dose may be increased by 50 mg as tolerated every 3 20days to reach 200 mg/day (50 mg four times daily). After adjustment, tramadol 50 to 100 mg can be administered as needed for pain relief every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 400 mg/day. Tramadol is supplied in 50 mg tablets.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if tramadol is discontinued abruptly. Reported withdrawal symptoms have included:

• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Rigors
• Pain
• Nausea
• Tremors
• Diarrhea
• Upper respiratory symptoms
• Goose bumps (piloerections)
• Rarely hallucinations

There are reports of acute overdosage with tramadol. Signs and symptoms can manifest by respiratory depression, sleepiness progressing to stupor or coma, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, constricted pupils, seizures, slow heart rate, low blood pressure (hypotension), cardiac arrest, and death. Deaths due to overdose have been reported with abuse and misuse of tramadol.

Tramadol may interact with quinidine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, amitriptyline, ketoconazole, erythromycin, SSRIs, MAOIs, triptans, linezolid, lithium, St. John's wort, carbamazepine, rifampin, and digoxin. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of tramadol in pregnant women. Tramadol should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Neonatal seizures, neonatal withdrawal syndrome, fetal death and stillbirth have been reported during post-marketing. Tramadol is not recommended for obstetrical preoperative medication or for post-delivery analgesia in nursing mothers because its safety in infants and newborns has not been studied.

Other drugs in the same class as tramadol include codeine hydrocodone (Zohydro ER), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone), methadone hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), morphine (Avinza, Kadian, MSIR, MS Contin), fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic). If you have questions about this drug talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other medical professional.

REFERENCE: FDA Prescribing Information for tramadol.