US Medical Term · medications
Analgesic
Analgésico
Groups of pain relievers named on MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus says over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are good for many types of pain, and that two types of OTC pain medicines are usually recommended for mild to moderate pain. One of the groups it names is the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, shortened to NSAIDs; many NSAIDs are also available at higher prescription doses. Opioids are sometimes used to treat moderate to severe pain. MedlinePlus describes opioids as very effective but says they can sometimes have serious side effects, and that there is also a risk of addiction. It adds that pain relievers are just one part of a pain treatment plan.
What it means
An analgesic is a drug that reduces pain. MedlinePlus covers these medicines on its Pain Relievers page, which says they are also called analgesics, and describes them as medicines that reduce or relieve headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, or other aches and pains. It notes that there are many different pain medicines, that each has advantages and risks, and that some types of pain respond better to certain medicines than others. Some pain relievers are sold over the counter, and if those do not relieve the pain, a provider may prescribe something stronger. The most powerful pain relievers are opioids, sometimes called narcotics, which must be used only under a provider's supervision. This page explains the word only; decisions about any medicine belong with a health care provider.
Analgesic in Spanish
- Spanish term
- Analgésico
- Gender and article
- masculine as a noun: el analgésico (plural: los analgésicos); as an adjective it agrees with its noun: medicamento analgésico
- Pronunciation
- ah-nahl-HEH-see-koh
| Other Spanish terms | Where it is used | Note |
|---|---|---|
| medicamentos para el dolor | General | MedlinePlus en español lists this plural phrase among the other names on its Analgésicos page. |
| calmantes para el dolor | General | MedlinePlus en español lists this plural phrase among the other names on its Analgésicos page. |
The Real Academia Española dictionary enters the word as analgésico, ca, an adjective meaning "que calma el dolor" (that calms pain), and notes that when it is applied to a medicine it is also used as a masculine noun. That gives two patterns: the noun el analgésico (plural los analgésicos) and the adjective in un medicamento analgésico. The written accent falls on the é.
The National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary defines analgésico as a medicine that lessens pain. MedlinePlus en español titles its page Analgésicos, in the plural, and lists calmantes para el dolor and medicamentos para el dolor as other names. Terms that the same page prints alongside the word include analgésicos de venta libre (over-the-counter pain relievers), analgésicos de venta con receta (prescription pain relievers), antiinflamatorios no esteroides, shortened to AINE (NSAIDs), opioides (opioids) and efectos secundarios (side effects).
Phrases for an appointment
What a patient or a clinician might say, in English and Spanish:
| Who | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Patient | What kind of medicine is an analgesic? | ¿Qué tipo de medicamento es un analgésico? |
| Clinician | An analgesic is a medicine that reduces pain. | Un analgésico es un medicamento que disminuye el dolor. |
| Clinician | Where is your pain, and how long have you had it? | ¿Dónde tiene el dolor y desde cuándo lo tiene? |
| Patient | I have had back pain for three days. | Tengo dolor de espalda desde hace tres días. |
| Clinician | Are you taking any over-the-counter analgesic right now? | ¿Está tomando algún analgésico de venta libre en este momento? |
| Patient | Is this analgesic sold over the counter, or do I need a prescription? | ¿Este analgésico es de venta libre o necesito una receta? |
| Patient | Does this analgesic have side effects that I should know about? | ¿Este analgésico tiene efectos secundarios que deba conocer? |
| Clinician | Please tell me about every medicine you take before we add an analgesic. | Por favor, dígame todos los medicamentos que toma antes de que agreguemos un analgésico. |
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Analgesic |
| Spanish (Español) | Analgésico |
| Chinese (中文) | 止痛藥 |
| Korean (한국어) | 진통제 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thuốc giảm đau |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Analgesiko |
| Portuguese (Português) | Analgésico |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ยาแก้ปวด |
| Japanese (日本語) | 鎮痛薬 |
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Your right to an interpreter in the United States
If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or a translated document when you visit a doctor or dentist, go to the emergency room or pick up a prescription. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that two federal laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require programs that receive its funding to provide language access services free of charge.
You can ask when you make the appointment or at the front desk: "I need an interpreter, please." «Necesito un intérprete, por favor.»
More terms: General care: tests, procedures and medicines
All terms in this area: General care: tests, procedures and medicines — Atención general: pruebas, procedimientos y medicamentos
Sources
- NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: analgesic — National Cancer Institute (NIH)
- Diccionario de cáncer del NCI: analgésico — Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH)
- Pain Relievers — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
- Analgésicos — MedlinePlus en español, Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina
- analgésico, analgésica — Diccionario de la lengua española — Real Academia Española / ASALE
- Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Your Right to Language Assistance Services — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
This page is a language reference. It is not medical advice.
Last reviewed: October 8, 2026