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.

Stepwise use

In 1990, the World Health Organisation (WHO) approved an "analgesic ladder" which recommends the stepwise introduction of stronger painkillers if the more basic ones are ineffective. While originally introduced for managing pain in cancer, these guidelines have found application in all fields of medicine, such as surgery and anaesthetics.

Related Topics:
1990 - World Health Organisation - Cancer

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• The first step is paracetamol (500 mg to 1 g every 4-6 hours).
• The second step involves the addition of an NSAID (e.g. ibuprofen) or a weak opioid (such as codeine).
• The third step comprises the addition of a strong opioid (such as morphine, oxycodone or a fentanyl preparation); if codeine is being taken the opioid replaces codeine.