noun
painkiller, analgesic
B1
Schmerzmittel (das) means painkiller or analgesic, used for relieving pain. It's a neuter noun with plural die Schmerzmittel — plural identical to singular form. Genitive singular adds -s (des Schmerzmittels). Compound of Schmerz + Mittel. Regular declension otherwise; commonly used in medical and everyday contexts.
Examples
Dieses Schmerzmittel wirkt schnell und lindert die Schmerzen.
This analgesic works quickly and relieves the pain.
Ich nehme ein Schmerzmittel gegen Kopfschmerzen.
I'm taking a painkiller for a headache.
Der Arzt verschrieb Schmerzmittel, damit der Patient weniger Schmerzen hatte.
The doctor prescribed painkillers so that the patient had less pain.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a small pill with a red cross on it to remember it's a medicine for pain.
Sounds like 'harm' + 'mittel' (German for means) — a medicine that reduces harm/pain.
das — remember 'das Mittel' (the remedy) is neuter, so 'das Schmerzmittel'.
Notes
Compound of 'Schmerz' (pain) + 'Mittel' (remedy). Often used in pharmacies and medicine contexts. Plural is the same as singular: die Schmerzmittel.