HEALTH
Q A few issues ago, you discussed chronic pain and how medicines to relieve it can become addictive. I’m having shoulder surgery soon, so which is the safest and best painkiller to use?
A Pain relief after an operation is for acute pain, so generally isn’t used long-term. However, the safest option will be different for everyone, as it will depend on your medical history.
Generally, doctors start with paracetamol involving more than 5,000 patients revealed that ibuprofen was more effective at reducing patients’ pain than codeine. The patients who took ibuprofen were also less likely to have adverse effects. Codeine can cause constipation and itching, and also has the potential for problems with addiction. However, ibuprofen is associated with gastrointestinal irritation, such as indigestion and heartburn, as well as stomach ulcers and bleeding from the gastrointestinal system, so are generally not used long-term.
