If you’ve ever found yourself hobbling to extraction in Escape from Tarkov, you know how crucial painkillers are.
Painkillers are important for maintaining mobility and combat effectiveness in tough situations. Yet, many players underestimate their importance or don’t fully understand their functionality.
This article will teach you how to use painkillers in Tarkov, ensuring you’re prepared to handle whatever the battlefield throws at you.
How to Use Painkillers in Tarkov: Uses and Function
Painkillers in Tarkov serve one primary purpose – they let you keep moving when your limbs are damaged. If your legs are blacked out or fractured, you’ll normally limp, move slowly, and take damage with each step.
Painkillers counter this by letting you sprint and move at a nearly normal speed, even when injured. They also reduce negative effects on your aim and vision when your arms are damaged, allowing for steadier shooting in a pinch.
Simply put, painkillers help you stay mobile and functional, even when you’ve taken serious damage.
Also Read: How to Improve in Tarkov Fast

Types of Painkillers
Tarkov features a range of painkillers, each with unique durations, effects, and penalties. Before you learn how to use Painkillers in Tarkov, it’s crucial you understand the different kinds available in the game.
Golden Star Balm
Duration: 350 seconds
This balm not only lasts long but also restores a small amount of energy and hydration. If your food or water runs out during a raid, Golden Star can literally keep you alive.
Vaseline
Duration: 300 seconds
Vaseline is another solid option for pre-medding. However, it only has six uses, so you might burn through it quickly if you’re actively seeking fights.
Ibuprofen
Duration: 280 seconds
With 15 uses, Ibuprofen is ideal for players who want a versatile option that lasts across multiple raids. The main downside is its steep hydration penalty, so you’ll need to carry water or food to counteract it.
Morphine
Duration: 240 seconds
Morphine is great for emergencies. It applies quickly and is perfect for mid-fight use when you don’t have time for longer-acting meds.
Standard Painkillers
Duration: 80 seconds
These are the entry-level options for newer players. They’re cheap and readily available, but their short duration and high hydration penalty make them less reliable.
Augmentin Pills
Duration: 150 seconds
While primarily an anti-toxin, Augmentin can also serve as a backup painkiller. However, its short duration makes it a poor substitute for better options.
Understanding how to use painkillers in Tarkov means picking the right option for your needs and knowing when to use it.
Pre-Medding
One common strategy in Tarkov is “pre-medding,” which means taking painkillers before you expect combat. If you’re already under the effect of a painkiller, you won’t be caught off guard by an injury mid-fight.
Pre-medding is especially useful in these situations:
• Entering areas where PvP is likely.
• Crossing open spaces where you’re exposed to long-range fire.
• Preparing for prolonged fights where injuries are inevitable.
Also Read: Best Backpacks in Tarkov (Patch 0.15)
Painkillers Hydration and Energy
Most painkillers come with a hydration penalty, meaning they drain your water reserves every time you use them. Over time, this can leave you dehydrated, which causes further health issues and slows your stamina regeneration. Knowing how to use painkillers in Tarkov requires you to learn about its side effects as well.
To counter these:
• Bring water or food into every raid. Options like Aquamari or Water Bottles are ideal, as they replenish hydration quickly.
• Monitor your hydration levels, especially during long raids or if you’re frequently pre-medding.
• Be mindful of the energy-draining effects of painkillers like Golden Star. While it can save your life in emergencies, it’s not a replacement for proper hydration and food.
Crafting and Recycling Painkillers
One underrated aspect of painkillers in Tarkov is their potential for crafting. Items like Ibuprofen and Golden Star can be saved when they’re nearly used up and recycled into Propital or other valuable meds in your hideout.
For example:
• A single Golden Star or Ibuprofen with low durability, combined with other common materials, can yield Propital, which is highly effective and valuable.
• Vaseline can also be used in certain barters, like crafting medical cases.
Emergency Painkiller Use
Even if you’re not into pre-medding, it’s critical to always carry at least one painkiller into every raid. Emergencies happen, and having a quick solution can save your life.
For example:
• A sniper shot blacks out your leg, leaving you immobilized in an open area. A fast-acting painkiller like Morphine can get you moving before the follow-up shot lands.
• A shotgun blast fractures your arms, ruining your aim. A painkiller will reduce the sway enough to let you fight back.
• You’re out of surgery kits, and your legs are blacked out. Standard painkillers will let you sprint to extraction, even if it’s just for a short time.
Also Read: Escape From Tarkov Night Raids Guide

Limitations of Painkillers
While painkillers are incredibly useful, they aren’t a magic fix.
• Damage from Movement. If your legs are blacked out, you’ll still take damage while moving, even with painkillers active.
• Debuff Duration. Painkillers only reduce the effects of injuries; they don’t remove them entirely. Your aim and vision will still be somewhat impaired if your arms are damaged.
• Short Durations. Low-tier painkillers like Standard Painkillers or Augmentin don’t last long, requiring frequent use in extended engagements.
Final Tips
• Always hotkey your painkillers for quick access. Fumbling through your inventory in the middle of a fight can be fatal.
• Balance your loadout. While pre-medding is essential for PvP-heavy areas, don’t neglect healing items like IFAKs or Salewas.
• Upgrade as you progress. Early-game players can rely on Standard Painkillers, but mid- to late-game players should invest in better options like Ibuprofen or Golden Star.
Conclusion
Knowing how to use painkillers in Tarkov is a skill that can save your life and elevate your game. By understanding their differences, managing hydration, and carrying the right options for each situation, you’ll stay mobile and effective in even the most dangerous raids.
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