Any drug used to treat pain is called an analgesic. Analgesics are divided into two main categories: opioids and everything else. An opioid is any substance such as morphine or codeine that targets opioid receptors in the brain. Non-opioid analgesics are generally less risky than opioids, but also less effective - visceral pain responds especially well to opioids. The category of non-opioids includes familiar over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Other pain treatments, such as interruption of the nerves before they reach the brain, are not as effective for visceral pain as they are for other types.
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