43
Pain medication, also known as analgesics, are drugs used to relieve pain. Pain medications can be divided into two groups: those that work by blocking pain signals from the brain and those that work by reducing inflammation. The most common type of pain medication is acetaminophen, which is found in over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol. Other popular types of pain relievers include ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin. Narcotics, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, are also commonly used to treat pain, but they can be addictive and should only be used for short-term relief.