A member asked:

I was wondering what are the basic differences between narcotic and non-narcotic painkillers?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Several things: Narcotic medications block pain by binding to receptors in the spinal cord and brain. They have a high risk for tolerance and dose escalation. They can be fatal if abused. There are many types of non-narcotic medications, including anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and neuropathic medications. These all work by different mechanisms and have various side effects associated with them.

Answered 7/1/2016

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