After you have had an operation, you will have
approximately 1.5 – 2 hours before the local anæsthetic
wears off. For effective pain relief, you would want to
have taken your painkillers within that time, so that they
have started to work before the anæsthetic has worn off.
Do not take any ASPIRIN for pain relief as this is likely to
make you bleed that much more.
The type of painkiller you should take is dependent on your
medical history & the ease with which the procedure was
carried out.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS READ THE INSTRUCTION
LEAFLET THAT COMES WITH THE PAINKILLERS.
All these painkillers can be bought Over The Counter.
Brand-name drugs are more expensive than generic drugs.
MILD PAIN:
Paracetamol 0.5 – 1g taken every 4 – 6 hours
Ibuprofen 200 – 400mg taken every 4 – 6 hours
Brand names include Nurofen, Cuprofen & Advil.
The ‘soluble’, ‘effervescent’, ‘liquid’ and the ‘lysine’
variants of these painkillers are absorbed into the body
quickly and hence work that much faster.
MODERATE PAIN:
Paracetamol + Ibuprofen 0.5 – 1g & 200 – 400mg taken
every 4 – 6 hours
Brand names include Nuromol.
Codeine + Ibuprofen 2 tablets every 8 hours
Brand names include Nurofen Plus & Solpaflex.
Codeine + Paracetamol 2 tablets every 8 hours
Brand names include Solpadeine, Paracodol, Solpadol &
Kapake.
SEVERE PAIN:
Codeine-Paracetamol + Ibuprofen
For the painkillers to be effective, they should be taken
regularly.
Do not wait for them to wear off.
The painkillers should be taken for at least 2 – 3 days.
After about 3 or so days, the operated area should be
starting to settle down.
You then may be able to take less painkillers and less
often.
.