Medications that often come up after a work injury

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a large family of medicines that reduce the body's production of prostaglandins, chemicals involved in pain and inflammation. After sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries, NSAIDs are among the medicines prescribers most often consider.

NSAIDs carry important warnings on their official labels, including risks to the heart, stomach and kidneys. Each drug page below quotes those warnings from the FDA label. Your prescriber or pharmacist can tell you whether an NSAID is appropriate for you.

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of medicines labelled for the relief of discomfort linked to muscle spasm or, for some, spasticity. Back and neck strains are common situations in which they come up.

Many muscle relaxants can cause drowsiness and affect the ability to drive or operate machinery — a particular concern for people thinking about returning to work. The label for each drug explains its own warnings.

Injuries that affect nerves — for example crush injuries, disc problems in the spine or repetitive strain — can cause burning, shooting or tingling pain. Several medicines originally developed for seizures or depression are labelled for certain types of nerve (neuropathic) pain.

Which uses each medicine is officially approved for differs from drug to drug; the label summary on each page shows exactly what the FDA label says.

Topical medicines are applied to the skin over a painful area. They include local anaesthetics such as lidocaine, topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac, and counter-irritants such as capsaicin, menthol and methyl salicylate. Some are prescription-only and some are sold over the counter.

Topical products still have warnings — for example about use on broken skin, heat, or combining with other pain medicines. Check the label and ask your pharmacist.

Analgesics are pain relievers. They range from acetaminophen to opioid medicines such as tramadol, hydrocodone and oxycodone, which are generally reserved for more severe pain.

Opioid medicines carry boxed warnings — the FDA's most serious warning — about addiction, misuse and life-threatening breathing problems. Each opioid page shows its boxed warning verbatim. Talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about the risks, safe storage and disposal.

Cuts, punctures, bites, burns and surgical wounds can become infected. Prescribers may consider oral antibiotics or topical antibacterial products depending on the wound and the likely bacteria.

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections only. The label for each antibiotic explains what it is approved for and its important warnings.

Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medicines. They are labelled for a wide range of inflammatory conditions and are sometimes considered for short periods after certain injuries or flare-ups.

Corticosteroids have many label warnings, including effects on blood sugar, infection risk and mood. Your prescriber decides whether one is appropriate.

Pain, time off work and the stress of a claim can affect sleep and mood, and some people develop anxiety or post-traumatic stress after a serious workplace incident. Several medicines used for depression, anxiety, sleep or nightmares may come up in these situations.

Antidepressants carry a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts and behaviours in children and young adults. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.

Because NSAIDs and corticosteroids can irritate the stomach, prescribers sometimes consider acid-reducing medicines such as proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers alongside them.

The label for each acid reducer explains the conditions it is approved for and its warnings.

Nausea can follow surgery, anaesthesia, head injuries or some pain medicines. Anti-nausea medicines (antiemetics) work in different ways; each label explains its approved uses and warnings.

Surgery for injuries such as fractures, or long periods of reduced movement, can raise the risk of blood clots in the legs or lungs. Anticoagulants (blood thinners) are labelled to reduce that risk in specific situations, such as after hip or knee replacement surgery.

Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk and carry important warnings, including about stopping them early. Never stop or change one without speaking to your prescriber.

Puncture wounds, cuts and burns can raise the question of tetanus protection. Tetanus-containing vaccines such as Tdap are given based on a person's vaccination history and the type of wound — your clinician decides.

Head injuries and concussions can be followed by headaches. Some medicines labelled for migraine are discussed in this context; which ones are appropriate after a head injury is a decision for the treating clinician.

Any head injury with worsening headache, repeated vomiting, confusion or weakness needs urgent medical attention — call 911.