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Pain medicines

Pain medications

Overview

After surgery many types of pain medicines can be used such as opiates or narcotics, local anesthetics, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Depending on the procedure and clinical situation, a single medicine or combination of medicines may be used.

Review Date 7/9/2025

Updated by: John Meilahn, MD, General Surgeon, Wyndmoor, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.