If over-the-counter drugs don't ease chronic pain, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications, such as:
- Muscle relaxants
- Anti-anxiety drugs such as diazepam (Valium)
- Antidepressants such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) for musculoskeletal pain
- Prescription NSAIDs such as celecoxib (Celebrex)
- A short course of stronger painkillers such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), oxycodone and acetominophen (Percocet, Roxicet, Tylox) or hydrocodone and acetominophen (Lorcet, Lortab, and Vicodin).