Analgesic

An analgesic (colloquially known as painkiller) is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain and to achieve analgesia (literally, "absence of pain"). Analgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous system; they include paracetamol (acetaminophen), the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as the salicylates, narcotic drugs such as morphine, synthetic drugs with narcotic properties such as tramadol, and various others. Some other classes of drugs not normally considered analgesics are used to treat neuropathic pain syndromes; these include tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Specific forms and uses

Combinations

Analgesics are frequently used in combination, such as the paracetamol and codeine preparations found in many non-prescription pain relievers. They can also be found in combination with vasoconstrictor drugs such as pseudoephedrine for sinus-related preparations, or with antihistamine drugs for allergy sufferers.

Related Topics:
Codeine - Pseudoephedrine - Sinus - Antihistamine

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Topical or systemic

Topical analgesia is generally recommended to avoid systemic side-effects. Painful joints, for example, may be treated with an ibuprofen- or diclofenac-containing gel. Lidocaine and steroids may be injected into painful joints for longer-term pain relief. Lidocaine is also used for painful mouth sores, and is used to numb areas for dental work and small medical procedures.

Related Topics:
Ibuprofen - Diclofenac - Lidocaine - Steroids - Mouth sore - Dental

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Psychotropic agents

Tetrahydrocannabinol and some other cannabinoids, either from the Cannabis sativa plant or synthetic, have analgesic properties, although the use of cannabis derivatives is illegal in many countries. Other analgesic agents include ketamine (an NMDA receptor antagonist), clonidine and other α{{sub|2}}-adrenoreceptor agonists, and mexiletine and other local anaesthetic analogues.

Related Topics:
Tetrahydrocannabinol - Cannabinoids - Cannabis sativa - Ketamine - Clonidine - Mexiletine

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