Topical Analgesics
In contrast to the use of a systemic analgesic, use of a topical analgesic may result in relief of pain without the requirement for notable systemic absorption. A topical analgesic…
Minor and Short-Acting Analgesics, Including Opioid Combination Products
The use of naturally occurring plant material for the relief of pain dates back to early times. Advances in antipyretic and analgesic medications began in the late 1800s with the…
Antidepressants as Analgesics
The second half of the 20th century saw the introduction of a range of therapeutic agents that were shown to have an antidepressant effect. Among these agents were those with…
Neuraxial Agents
Medication delivery to the spinal cord or the dorsal nerve roots via the intrathecal or epidural route exploits the endogenous pharmacology of the neuraxis to relieve pain in patients. These…
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
The term skeletal muscle relaxant is often used to describe a diverse group of medications commonly used in the treatment of back pain ( Table 41.1 ). Medications commonly referred…
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, Acetaminophen, and COX-2 Inhibitors
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a diverse group of chemically unrelated compounds that are classified together based on their therapeutic property of possessing anti-inflammatory action ( Fig. 40.1 ). NSAIDs…
Major Opioids and Chronic Opioid Therapy
Derivatives from the opium plant have been described as analgesics and used for pain control since 3500 bc . It was not until 1806 that a pure opioid substance was…
Management of Pain in Older Adults
Introduction The population is aging, with demographic shifts resulting in a significant increase in the proportion of adults 65 years and older. The rising prevalence of many long-term conditions, of…
Membrane Stabilizers for the Treatment of Pain
Multimodal medical management of cancer- and non–cancer-related pain can involve the use of nonopioid medications, as well as opioid medications. Nonopioid medications, often referred to as adjuvant medications, can take…
Managing Pain during Pregnancy and Lactation
Almost all women will experience pain during pregnancy. Common musculoskeletal conditions can cause severe pain in an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy. Some women will enter pregnancy with preexisting painful disorders, and…
