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Analgesic - Painkiller
What Are Analgesics (Painkillers)?
Analgesics (Painkillers) are a class of drugs used to relieve pain. The pain relief induced by analgesics occurs either by blocking pain signals going to the brain or by interfering with the brain's interpretation of the signals, without producing anesthesia or loss of consciousness. There are basically two kinds of analgesics: non-narcotics and narcotics.
Non-narcotics - such as aspirin and paracetamol, which are mainly used for mild to moderate pain.
Narcotics - such as morphine and pethidine, which are mainly used for severe pain.
How do Analgesics (Painkillers) work ?
It is not fully understood how painkillers work. Damaged or inflamed body tissues produce various chemicals which send signals through the nervous system to the brain. The brain produces the sensation of pain. Different painkillers act at different points in this process. For example, NSAIDS may act at the point of injury , whereas others act on the nerves or brain.
Common side effects and adverse reactions:
nausea
vomiting
drowsiness
dry mouth
miosis (contraction of the pupil)
orthostatic
hypotension (blood pressure lowers upon sudden standing)
urinary retention
constipation and/or fecal impaction
Less common side effects and adverse reactions:
confusion
hallucinations
delirium
hives
itch
hypothermia
bradycardia (slow heart rate)
tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
raised intracranial pressure
ureteric or biliary spasm
muscle rigidity
flushing
Most severe side effects and adverse reactions:
respiratory depression
fatal overdose
Tramadol and Ultram Analgesics
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