Understanding Analgesic Potency: Why Not All Painkillers Are Equal

Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. But not all pain is the same — and neither are the medications used to treat it. At Global Health, we believe that patients should be informed about their treatment options, including how different painkillers work and why their strength (potency) varies.

Below is a visual guide to the "analgesic potency scale", which classifies commonly used painkillers by their strength and typical use:

What Is Analgesic Potency?

Analgesic potency refers to the strength of a medication in relieving pain. A more potent analgesic can relieve more intense pain with a smaller dose, while a less potent one may be sufficient for mild pain but ineffective for severe conditions.

Why Does Potency Vary?

The difference in potency exists because each medication acts differently on the nervous system:

• Mild analgesics like paracetamol work mainly in the central nervous system to block pain signals.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or diclofenac also reduce inflammation, which is often a source of pain.

• Stronger opioids like morphine or fentanyl bind to specific opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, significantly altering pain perception.

  
  

Other factors that influence potency include:

• Drug bioavailability (how well the body absorbs the medication)

• Metabolism speed

• Receptor affinity (how tightly the drug binds to pain receptors)

• Duration of action

When Are Different Types of Painkillers Used?

Here's how different analgesics are typically applied in medical practice:

✅ Mild Potency (e.g., Paracetamol, Dipyrone)

• Headaches

• Minor injuries

• Low-grade fever

• Mild postoperative discomfort

  
  

✅ Moderate Potency (e.g., NSAIDs, Tramadol)

• Inflammatory conditions (arthritis, tendonitis)

• Menstrual cramps

• Dental pain

• Moderate trauma or surgery

  
  

✅ High Potency (e.g., Morphine, Fentanyl, Methadone)

• Severe post-surgical pain

• Cancer-related pain

• Palliative care

• Chronic pain syndromes under close medical supervision

Safety First: The Role of Medical Supervision

Stronger painkillers come with greater risks, including dependency, sedation, and respiratory depression. Therefore, they must always be prescribed and monitored by a medical professional. At Global Health, we assess each patient's condition thoroughly before recommending a treatment plan that balances efficacy and safety.