Drug or agent that relieves pain. See analgesic.
Agent for relieving pain. Types of painkiller include analgesics such as aspirin and aspirin substitutes, morphine, codeine, paracetamol, and synthetic versions of the natural inhibitors, the encephalins and endorphins, which avoid the side effects of the others.
Topical nerve irritants are also used in salves, such as camphor and eucalyptus; they cause the nerve endings to react to them, bringing increased blood flow to the areas and alleviating localized and joint pain.