Concept About Analgesics – This book covers the entire syllabus of “Pharmacology” prescribed by BNMC- for a diploma in nursing science & midwifery students. We tried to accommodate the latest information and topics. This book is an examination set up according to the teachers’ lectures and examination questions.
At the end of the book, previous questions are given. We hope in touch with the book students’ knowledge will be upgraded and flourish. The unique way of presentation may make your reading of the book a pleasurable experience.
Concept About Analgesics
Drugs that relief pain without impairing the degree of consciousness is called Analgesics. The pain may be somatic or visceral.
Somatic pain:
Headache, pain in muscles, joints etc. Visceral pain: Spasmodic pain in any viscera Such as kidney, urinary bladder, stomach spleen, liver etc.
Types of Analgesics:
A. Narcotic analgesics:
Drugs which reduce pain arising from the viscera and produce narcosis (depression of CNS) & addiction. Properties:
➤ Highly, potent analgesics.
➤ Addicting analgesics.
➤ mainly act on CNS (depression)
➤ Produce narcosis.
➤ Used in visceral pain.
➤ No anti-pyretic & anti-inflammatory action.
➤ Low therapeutic index.
B. Non-narcotic analgesics:
Drugs that relief, pain arising from musculoskeletal system without producing narcosis (CNS depression) and addiction. Properties:
➤Less potent.
➤ Non-addicting.
➤ Having anti-pyretic and anti-platelet action.
➤ Having anti-inflammatory action.
➤ Used in-somatic pain (musculoskeletal, articular).
➤ High therapeutic index so more safer.
Now-a-days, non-narcotic ‘analgesics are culled NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Choice of analgesics
1. Mild pain: Non-narcotic’ analgesics (non-opioids) Example: Aspirin. ibuprofen, paracetamol..
2. Moderate pain: Narcotic’ analgesics: low efficacy opioids Example: Codeine, dihydrocodeine
3. severe pain: High efficacy opioids Example: Morphine. pethidine.
4. Acute pain: Opioids + sedative/anxiolytic Example: Morphine + Diazepam
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