PAINKILLER DRUGS
INTRODUCTION
Occasionally we will have some pain in our bodies either caused by physical injury, from a disease or illness in the body or from tiresome work. This calls for the need to use drugs to ease (kill) the pain. Thus, we use painkillers to ease, subdue or kill
the pain.
Painkillers are analgesic (without pain) drugs and they act either on the periphery or on the central nervous system. Choosing a suitable painkiller depends on the severity and the type of pain a patient experiences.
TYPES OF PAINKILLERS
1. Non-steroid
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSADs)
This group of drugs all work through the inhibition of prostaglandin (a chemical substance secreted by a part of the body into the blood stream) synthesis.
There are different groups of NSADs and all have similar effects and side effect profile although
patient response to each can differ widely. It may be necessary to try several drugs from different groups before a suitable one is found.
The use of phenylbutazone is restricted because of incidences of blood dyscrasias (morbid state resulting from the presence of toxic materials in the
blood) associated with its use.
Fenbufen and nabumetone are pro-drugs, converted to active drug after metabolism and may have cover potential for GI side effects.
All NSADs should be given after food or with milk. All should be avoided during pregnancy.
DRUG NSAD GROUP
Aspirin,
Aloxiprin, Benorylate, Disflunisal, Salsalate Salicylates
Indomethacine, Sulindac Indole derivatives
Alcofenac, Diclofenac, Fentiazac, Lonazolac, Tolmetin Phenylacetic acid
Fenbufen, Fenoprofen, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Naproxen, Tiaprofenic acid Propionic
acids
Tolmetin Acetic acid
Mefenamic acid, Tolfenamic acid Fenamate
Azapropazone, Oxyphenbutazone, Phenylbutazone Pyrazolones
Piroxicam Oxicams
Bufexamac Other
2. Steroid drugs
Apart from Apirin, this group of drugs does not have anti-inflammatory properties, they
simply relieve pain.
The use of this group of drugs should be avoided by those suffering from haemophilia, dyspepsia or lesions of the gastric or duodenal mucosa (mucous membrane). They should also be avoided in later stages of pregnancy or in children.
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