Analgesic

Analgesics are drugs used in medicine in order to eliminate the pain of a patient ( pain killers that do that relieve pain).

The analgesic requirements vary between subjects and, for the same subject, depending on circumstances. An extreme example is that seen by doctors operating in conflict zones: in the intense stress of the battlefield, the amount of endorphins generated by the brain causes autoanalgsie which may be sufficient for relatively large transactions.

Classes of Analgesics

central opioid analgesics

This is the morphine and all its derivatives, more or less powerful depending on the molecules. They can be used by intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC), intramuscular (IM), transdermal (patch), oral (PO = per os).

These drugs are among the most powerful currently known but are not without side effects (eg, respiratory distress ( apnea ), the nausea and vomiting , the constipation , the retention of urine , ...) and are unfortunately not always sufficiently effective on certain types of pain.

All these drugs are not equivalent to each other and cons, some associations are shown lest cancel the effects of each drug (antagonist effect).

Examples:

• the morphine
• the buprenorphine
• the nalbuphine
• the sufentanil , the remifentanil , the fentanyl , the alfentanil
• the codeine
• the hydromorphone

Some molecules are very effective quickly (20 seconds) but very little time (1-2 minutes) in the case of remifentanil. Other molecules act more slowly (15 minutes) but longer (3-4 hours): the case of morphine. Thus, these molecules will not be used under the same circumstances.

non-opioid analgesics central

Currently there are 4 molecules in this class:

• the dextropropoxyphene
• the tramadol
• the nefopam

These painkillers are available singly or in combination with other analgesic compounds. They can be used intravenously, IM or PO.

The peripheral analgesic

You can find here:

• the paracetamol or acetaminophen.
• the ibuprofen
• the anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including the aspirin.

They are used most often by IV, IM, PO or intrarectal.

Other analgesics

The molecules in this group have not been developed for their analgesic action but to use that we could realize this.

Thus we find in this group:

• the antidepressants , including the analgesic effect occurs before the antidepressant effect.
• the neuroleptics , which also affect anxiolytic.
• the benzodiazepines , which also have anxiolytic, muscle relaxant and amnesic, sedative and hypnotic.
• the AEDs have an interest in the pain of neurological origin.
• the corticosteroids , including the analgesic effect through an anti-inflammatory.
• the calcitonin , used in some bone pain.
• the nitrous oxide -oxygen mixture equimolar nitrous oxide in the treatment of pain caused

Antispasmodics

They are used in visceral pain of gastrointestinal tract, urinary and gynecological. Found here:

• of trimebutine
• the phloroglucinol
• the mebeverine ...

The routes of administration are the same as peripheral analgesics.

Security

Always seek the advice of your doctor before taking any treatment.

References

See also

• Analgesics
• Pain
• Drug

• Gateway Pharmacy

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