Which medication class is often used for pain management after surgery?

Opioids are a class of medications that are widely used for pain management after surgery due to their ability to effectively alter the perception of pain in the central nervous system. They bind to specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord, providing significant relief from moderate to severe pain, which is often experienced following surgical procedures. Opioids can be particularly beneficial for managing pain in the immediate post-operative period when patients may be experiencing intense discomfort.

While NSAIDs can also be used for managing pain and have the added benefit of anti-inflammatory properties, they generally provide less powerful pain relief compared to opioids for more significant pain levels associated with surgical recovery. Antibiotics are used to prevent or treat infections, not to manage pain, and antiseptics are employed to clean wounds and prevent infection rather than alleviate pain. Therefore, opioids stand out as the appropriate choice among the medications listed for effective pain control in a post-operative setting.