alternative to codiene?

Question

does anybody have any ideas on what alternative pain killer my dad could take other than codiene?he's suffering with cancer and takes paractamol plus codiene when needed but the codiene does not agree with him(severe constipation)

Answer 1

You can take paracetamol and ibruprofen together - Ibuprofen should always be taken with or after food though and not for extensive periods.

Answer 2

There are many better choices than a paracetamol/codiene combination. For patients who have reasons for chronic and severe pain a short acting (4-6 hr) relief is inadequate there is about 50% of the time that there is not enough analgesic effect for the pain level.

If the GP can not handle it, usually the oncologist (cancer specialist) will manage the pain with better formulations or refer the patient to a pain management specialist trained in management of chronic, debilitating and severe pain.

There are techniques which do not require oral medication,alternative medicine techniques and oral medications better suited to the type pain that is associated with cancer.

My personal favorite combination in cancer patients is methadone, a synthetic opiate, without the euphoric effects of other opiate meds, which has a long action and only needs to be taken twice a day. If the patient has "break through pain" I like to use a fentanyl transmucosal swab which is dissolved slowly in the mouth. This takes care of any pain which is excess of what can be managed by the methadone.

With any pain medication of the opiate class constipation is the most commonly complained side effect. I place my patients on a twice daily dose of a stool softener with a mild vegetable laxative which controls this symptom. it is a tablet which contains docusate sodium and standardized senna concentrate. The most widely known US brand is called Peri-Colace. The brand name formulation of this medication is a little pricey for the 2-4 tablets I recommend per day, The chemist can steer you towards generic formulations which containe the same medication but at less than 1/5th the price.

Good luck with your father's care.

Answer 3

I'm not familiar with paracetamol, but I assume it's something like Tylenol . Pretty much anything in the codeine family can cause constipation, even synthetics like Vicodin. There are some good NSAIDS like Toradol. Definitely talk to his doctor!

Answer 4

Whenever taking any medication that causes constipation, you should also take something such as colace which should help with the constipation. You can go into the pharmacy and they will recommend a good type of stool softener.

Answer 5

Probably Vicodin,
but he should talk to his doctor about that, not ask on here lol.

Answer 6

Tramodol. I think I spelled that wrong but this medicine may be the one.....

Answer 7

not sure maybe oxycocodone