Burn Care: Managing Your Pain

Burn Care: Managing Your Pain


Burns can be very painful, and you may need medicine to manage your pain. Over the counter medicines may be used to manage mild pain. Narcotics, also called opioid pain relievers, may be used to manage severe pain. Other prescription medicines may be added to decrease nerve pain. Sometimes pain can be managed without medicine or in combination with other non-drug therapies for more pain relief.

Using pain medicine safely

  • Your medicine may come as a liquid, tablet, or long-acting tablet.
  • Your health care provider will tell you how much of the medicine to take and how often.
  • Talk to your provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
  • Your provider might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand the information.
  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
  • If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine:
    • Take the medicine as soon as you can.
    • If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
    • Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
  • Your provider will check your progress at regular visits, while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Warnings for pain medicine use

  • Narcotics can be habit-forming. Some people become addicted to the medicine and have trouble stopping its use or take too much, even when they do not have physical pain.
  • If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not take more than your prescribed dose. Call your provider for instructions.
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your provider. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely. 
  • This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Getting up slowly from sitting or lying down may also help. 
  • This medicine may cause constipation. This is more common if you take it for a long time. Drink plenty of fluids to help prevent this. Ask your provider if you should also take a laxative or stool softener to prevent and treat constipation.

Medicines and food to avoid

Talk to your provider or pharmacist before using any other medicines, including over the counter medicines, vitamins, and herbs.

  • There are many medicines that interact with narcotics. Make sure your provider knows about all other medicines that you are taking.
  • Tell your provider if you are taking medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicines, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
  • Do not drink alcohol while on this medicine.

Other ways to manage pain

Many patients find that using non-drug therapy to manage pain can bring more relief. These practices may also help you lessen the amount or strength of the pain medicine you need.

  • Relaxation with breathing exercises
  • Relaxation with music or sounds
  • Guided imagery or meditation
  • Exercise or movement
  • Distraction, such as reading, listening to music, watching a movie, or gaming
  • Aromatherapy

Visit https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/integrative-health/resources for free resources and talk to your health care team for more information.


© 2022 – June 23, 2022, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.