About
About Pain Medication
There are FOUR main types of pain medication: paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen, opioids that range in strength from codeine through to high dose examples like tramadol and morphine and other medicines such as anti-depressants and anti-epileptics. Each works in a different way. Most people only need to take painkillers for a few days or weeks.

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Real Stories
Real Stories
Read real stories from people whose lives have been affected by painkillers. Pain medication addiction can affect everyone and everyone’s story is unique to them. Taking action and asking for help is the first step to managing your pain.

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Help and Support
Help and Support
Many people are not aware that there are other ways to help manage persistent pain other than medication. There are techniques you can try yourself and local support groups to meet others with similar conditions.

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- Pain and sleep
- Help and support resources
Join the Campaign
Join the Campaign
Painkillers Don’t Exist is an NHS campaign that aims to raise awareness of the dangerous effects of pain medication and empower people living with pain to make informed decisions about their health.

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- Campaign toolkit
- Press
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They’re only a short-term solution.

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Home Join the Campaign

Join the Campaign

Help promote and find out more about the campaign.

Painkillers don’t exist, is an NHS campaign that aims to highlight that painkillers are only a short term solution and encourages people to visit their pharmacist or GP once they’ve been on pain medication for more than 3 months.

The campaign wants to educate people on the effects of long-term high-dose pain medication and empower people living with pain to make informed decisions about their health.

Help promote the campaign

Are you a GP, pharmacist, healthcare professional or in a position to help us promote the Painkillers Don’t Exist campaign across your organisation? If so please visit the campaign resources where there are lots of free resources to help spread the campaign message.

View resources

Download our health professional video

Health professionals share their advice for people living in pain. Video recorded October 2019.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the campaign or want to get involved yourself but not sure how to please don’t hesitate to contact us using this form.