Best treatments for postoperative pain
12 products may treat postoperative pain, spanning FDA drug classes such as amide local anesthetic, opioid agonist, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The current highest-rated option is exparel. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 12 drugs we list for postoperative pain, 11 are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as amide local anesthetic, opioid agonist, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for postoperative pain — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
Top-rated picks for postoperative pain: 1. Exparel · 2. Dilaudid · 3. Dilaudid-Hp
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Amide Local Anesthetic | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 2 | 68/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Opioid Agonist | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 3 | 68/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Opioid Agonist | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 4 | 68/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Amide Local Anesthetic | No data | — | View → | |
| 5 | 60/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Amide Local Anesthetic | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 6 | 44/100 | Prescription | Suppository | Opioid Agonist | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Drops | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Generic | $15 | View → | |
| 8 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | Amide Local Anesthetic | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 9 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Opioid Agonist | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 10 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Drops | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Generic | $15 | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: opioid agonist · amide local anesthetic · nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Full ranking · 12 treatments
exparel
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Exparel (Bupivacaine) is an amide local anesthetic used to treat Postoperative Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.05· 4 formsdilaudid
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Dilaudid (Hydromorphone Hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist used to treat Cough, Postoperative Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.17· 8 forms Save up to 91% in classdilaudid-hp
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Dilaudid-Hp (Hydromorphone Hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist used to treat Cough, Postoperative Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.17· 8 forms Save up to 91% in classnaropin
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Naropin (Ropivacaine Hydrochloride) is an amide local anesthetic used to treat Postoperative Pain.
Price varies
marcaine
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Marcaine (Bupivacaine Hydrochloride) is an amide local anesthetic used to treat Postoperative Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.05· 4 formshydromorphone hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Hydromorphone Hydrochloride is an opioid agonist used to treat Cough, Postoperative Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.17· 8 forms Save up to 91% in classFrequently asked
- What treats postoperative pain?
- Our catalog lists 12 products that may treat postoperative pain, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is exparel.
- What is the best-rated treatment for postoperative pain?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — exparel ranks highest among the products we list for postoperative pain. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.
- What types of drugs treat postoperative pain?
- Treatments for postoperative pain span FDA drug classes including amide local anesthetic, opioid agonist, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.