Pain relievers help calm down pain by numbing the cells and tissues that are experiencing pain. It feels really easy to pop a pain reliever pill when you are suffering through a lot of pain. You should however know that pain relievers come with their share of side effects and should only be consumed when consuming them becomes a necessity not a choice. Some of the side effects of pain relievers are:

• Constipation:

This is one of the most troublesome side effects of pain relievers and is one of the most common side effects too. Many people consuming pain relievers also have to take laxatives and stool softeners to calm down constipation. No person can ever develop tolerance to the constipating effects of pain relievers. If you increase your dose, you should also increase the dose of softeners and laxatives in order to counter the constipating effects of pain relievers.

• Drowsiness:

Most of the pain killers induce sleep as a method of calming the pain down. Many people develop tolerance to drowsiness after consuming pain relievers. If you feel drowsy even after consuming pain relievers for two to three days, ask your doctor if an alternative pain reliever can be prescribed. If you are feeling drowsy after taking pain relievers, do not assume that it is only because of the medication; it may also be because of lack of sleep or increased stress level while you are suffering from pain.

• Confusion:

Many people also experience periods of confusion or delirium while consuming pain relievers. This is one reason why some medications are not continued for longer periods because confusion can get worse as a result of their prolonged use. Many people think that this is an allergy; actually it is nothing but a side effect.

• Nausea:

Many pain relievers cause nausea. Generally people gradually develop tolerance towards this side effect; others may have to take anti emetics in order to suppress nausea.

• Muscle twitching:

Muscle twitching can be a very serious condition. The condition becomes intolerable especially when the medications are leading you in and out of consciousness. A muscle relaxant may help in certain cases while in other cases change of medication may be the only option to calm this side effect. No one ever develops tolerance against muscle twitching.

• Effect on breathing: Some pain relievers may result in shortness of breath. The side effect may be aggravated if the patient is suffering from a lung disease or a congestive heart problem. A change in medication in such cases may often become a necessity. Inform your doctors immediately of you are experiencing difficulty in breathing.
  Since pain relievers have so many side effects, you can always try alternative methods of pain relief. There are many alternative methods of pain relief; some of them may actually work for you. These include Massage, heat and cold, electrical simulation, imagery, relaxation, acupuncture, acupressure, meditation and exercise.