Your child may need medication to manage their pain while undergoing cancer treatment. To help you understand the various types of pain relief drugs your child may be given, we’ve listed common pain medications, how they’re given, how they work, and their side effects.
What types of pain relief medications are available for children?
There are several different types of pain medications available to help your child manage their pain while undergoing chemotherapy. Below, you can find the generic and brand names for some of these pain relief drugs.
| Drug Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| Codeine | Codrix® |
| Hydromorphone | Dilaudid® |
| Meperidine | Demerol®, Mepergan® |
| Methadone | Methadose®, Dolophine® |
| Morphine | Astramorph PF®, Avinza®, Duramorph®, Infumorph®, Kadian®, MS Contin®, Oramorph SR®, Roxanol® |
| Oxycodone | Percocet®, Percodan®, Oxycontin®, Roxicet®, Roxilox®, Roxycodone®, M-Oxy®, Oxyfast®, OxylR®, ETH-Oxydose®, Tylox® |
It’s helpful to know both the generic and brand names, as your child’s doctors may use either option when discussing the types of pain management drugs available.
Pain management options for children
Pain relief drugs can be given through various methods, work in different ways, and cause various side effects. Below is a list of six common pain management medications, along with helpful information about each one.
Codeine
How given: Intramuscular (IM) injection, intravenous (IV) injection or infusion, subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection, or pills or liquid by mouth (PO)
How it works: Codeine is an opiate that reduces pain.
Note: This drug is added to numerous other non-narcotic pain relievers.
Common side effects:
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Sedation
- Euphoria
- Constipation
Infrequent side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Allergic reaction
- Slowed heart rate
Hydromorphone
How given: Intravenous (IV) injection or infusion, pill by mouth (PO), rectal suppository, or subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection
How it works: Hydromorphone is a narcotic pain reliever.
Precaution: It can cause slowed breathing.
Common side effects:
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- Sedation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Euphoria and other mood alterations
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Slowed breathing
Infrequent side effects:
- Hallucination and disorientation
- Diminished circulation
- Shock
- Cardiac arrest
Meperidine
How given: Intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), or subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection; or liquid or pill by mouth (PO). It is not as effective if taken by mouth.
How it works: Meperidine is a narcotic that works similarly to morphine.
Common side effects:
- Sedation
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Flushing or sweating
Infrequent side effects:
- Slowed breathing
- Decreased blood pressure
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Visual disturbances
- Mood changes
- Slowed heart rate
Methadone
How given: Intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), or subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection; or liquid or pill by mouth (PO)
How it works: Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever.
Common side effects:
- Light-headedness and dizziness
- Sedation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Euphoria
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
Infrequent side effects:
- Slowed breathing
- Decreased circulation
- Depression or euphoria
- Confusion
- Shock
Morphine
How given: Intravenous (IV) injection or infusion, short- or long-acting pill by mouth (PO), liquid by mouth (PO), or suppository
How it works: Morphine is a narcotic derived from the opium plant.
Common side effects:
- Euphoria
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sedation
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
Infrequent side effects:
- Reduced body temperature
- Slowed breathing
- Allergic reactions, including hives and itching
- Seizures
Oxycodone
How given: Pills or liquid by mouth (PO)
How it works: Oxycodone is a narcotic derived from opium.
Common side effects:
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Sedation
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
Infrequent side effects:
- Slowed breathing
- Skin rash
- Mood changes
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Low blood pressure
- Slowed heart rate
- Delayed digestion
- Allergic reactions
What pain relief medication should my child take?
If you are concerned that your child is in pain during their cancer treatment, speak with their doctor about pain relief medication. They should answer any additional questions you have and develop a pain management plan for your child.
This page was adapted from the content in our childhood cancer guides, which contain information about specific cancer types, procedures, treatments, and more. The guides are available for free on our website, and childhood cancer families can request a free PDF or print copy.
