Pain Medication for Postoperative Pain Control in Children

Children, just like adults, need pain medication after surgical procedures, in dosages based on the patient's age, size and extent of the surgery. Pain medication should be given to a child at home as directed by a doctor.

Types

• Children may receive narcotics during and after surgery to control pain. Those recovering in the intensive care unit receive sedatives and analgesics.

Features

• Pain medications come in various forms, such as liquids for younger children and pills for older children. A child vomiting after surgery receives suppositories; intravenous (IV) pain medications provide a continuous flow of pain relief.

Narcotics

• Narcotics are strong pain medications associated with addiction risks in adults; however, narcotic pain medication addiction is very rare in children.

Patient Control

• Children over 7 may be administered pain medication through an IV that allows the child to push a button when another dose of pain medication is needed. The machine only provides appropriate doses of medications, with no risk of overdose.

Epidural Anesthesia

• In some cases, an epidural catheter delivers medication directly to the site of the pain after surgery, but typically isn't used for more than five days.

Effects

• Common side effects of pain medication include nausea and itching, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery, but adjustments can be made to minimize such effects.