Analgesics

What are analgesics?

Analgesics are medications used to relieve pain such as headaches, backaches, joint pain, sore muscles, menstrual cramps, pain that results from surgery, injury or illness without reducing the consciousness of the patient.

What is pain?

Pain is the body’s signal that something is wrong. Pain is not a disease but a symptom. Pain can result from an injury, such as a broken bone, a burn or a sprain; from overuse of muscles (including muscle tension due to stress); from infections, such as sinus infections or meningitis; or from natural events, such as childbirth.

Pain begins at the level of the cells. In response to injury or inflammation, cells release chemical messengers. These chemical messengers alert other specialised cells called pain receptors. The pain receptors send signals to the brain. The brain then interprets the signals, and we perceive pain.

How do they work?

They work by reducing the amount of pain felt and this is generally achieved by interfering with the way the pain signals is transmitted by the nerves to the brain. Though analgesics do not treat the cause of the pain but they will provide temporary relief from pain symptoms and can provide enough relief to make people more comfortable and to allow people to carry out their daily routine.

Types of analgesics

a. Narcotic analgesics

Examples are codeine and morphine. They are used to treat the pain arising from surgery, serious injury and disease. They work in the brain to stop the pain signals from being detected by the brain. This type of analgesics can produce addiction and therefore their uses are strictly controlled.

b. Non-narcotic analgesics

Examples are aspirin, paracetamol, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). They work on pain nerves at the site of injury to stop the pain signals from being sent. Some of this type of analgesics may have the antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Paracetamol

· Paracetamol is normally the first choice and most popular analgesic.

· It relieves minor aches and pain and reduces fever.

· Good for people who cannot take aspirin.

· One of the safest of all analgesics when taken at the recommended dose
even in pregnant and breastfed mother.

· Does not usually irritate the stomach and allergic reactions are rare. It is
kind to the stomach and can be taken on an empty stomach, and so
you do not need to time the doses with meals or food.

· An overdose can cause severe and possibly fatal liver and kidney damage.

Aspirin

· It is used to relieve minor aches and pain like muscle and joints pains,
headache, pain from cuts and joint injury. It also reduces fever and
inflammation.

· Usually used in low doses, it help to prevent abnormal clotting of the
blood decrease the chance of as stroke. Therefore, it is not suitable
for people whose blood does not clot normally.

· Contraindicated for pregnant women and gout patient.

· May worsen asthma.

· Can irritate the stomach and should always be taken after food or milk

· Should not be given to children under 16 years old.

NSAIDS e.g. ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, indomethacin

· Commonly used to reduce inflammation such as strains and arthritis and
can also be used to relieve period pain and fever.

· May worsen asthma.

· Not recommended during pregnancy or for nursing mother.

· Can irritate stomach and should always be taken after food or milk

Caution

Caution is also recommended when exercising after taking an analgesic to relieve pain or injury. Since the analgesic depresses the body’s pain signals, the injury can actually be aggravated by exercising when pain signals are muted.

SELF-CARE

1. Do not take analgesics continuously for more than 3 days without seeking

doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice.

2. Keep your analgesics out of reach of children.

3. Take your analgesics after your meal to avoid stomach irritation.

4. Always check the ingredients list when buying medicines to avoid doubling up the same analgesic.

5. Do not take aspirin and paracetamol together.

6. Always take your analgesics at the right time with the correct dose to avoid

poisoning or any toxic effects from the analgesics.

7. To manage long-term pain, such as recurring headaches or arthritis pain, a natural approach can be recommended without depending on large or frequent doses of analgesics such as relaxation techniques, massage, exercise, proper diet, and good sleep habits can be helpful.

Source: Pharmaceutical Services Divison

Know Your Medicine / Kenali Ubat Anda
Hotline
03 – 2615 5136

~ by hadzie on November 18, 2008.