Pain Medications: Difference between revisions
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== What Are Pain Medications ? == | == What Are Pain Medications ? == | ||
A pain [[Medication and Older People|medication]] is defined broadly as any medication that | A pain [[Medication and Older People|medication]] is defined broadly as any medication that relieves pain. Many different pain medicines exist and each one has pros and cons. Certain pains respond better to some medicines than others. People also have a slightly different response to a pain reliever.<ref>Medline Plus. [https://medlineplus.gov/painrelievers.html Pain relievers.] Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/painrelievers.html (last accessed 7.4.2019)</ref> | ||
The main forms of medication are: | The main forms of medication are: | ||
Revision as of 01:45, 10 April 2019
What is Pain ?[edit | edit source]
A definition of pain, according to the subcommittee on taxonomy of the International Association for the Study of Pain and adapted in 1979, is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. It is usually subjective[1].
What Are Pain Medications ?[edit | edit source]
A pain medication is defined broadly as any medication that relieves pain. Many different pain medicines exist and each one has pros and cons. Certain pains respond better to some medicines than others. People also have a slightly different response to a pain reliever.[2]
The main forms of medication are:
• Over-the-counter medicines. Good for mild to moderate pain, commonly prescribed for arthritis and musculoskeletal pain– nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), paracetamol, codeine.
• Opioids. These drugs are often prescribed for acute pain that arises from traumatic injury, such as surgery , neuropathic pain – codeine, morphine, tramadol;
• Anti-epileptic drugs. These are often used for chronic pain eg neuropathic pain – pregabalin, gaberpentin, carbamazepine;
• Anti-depressants. Used for chronic pain eg fibromyalgia– amitriptyline, duloxetine[5]
The video clip below gives a good description of pain medication steps using the WHO analgesic ladder
Physiotherapy use of Topical NSAIDs[edit | edit source]
A 2019 update of pain medications found that new topical NSAIDs provide localized pain relief and are of benefit for pain relief with minimal systemic effects.
- Diclofenac sodium (Voltarin) gel- pain relief in hands, elbows and knees if used 4 times a day. Physiotherapists can apply this during a therapy session with the added bonus for the client that little systemic uptake occurs reducing or eliminating the adverse GI, cardiovascular, and renovascular effects of the oral compounds.
- Diclofenac sodium (Pennsaid) Topical solution- applied 4 times daily is an effective pain relief for knee OA.
- Diclofenac epolamine (Flector) patch- good for minor aches and sprains.[7]
Physiotherapy- pain medication implications[edit | edit source]
Remember pain medication is only one part of pain management. Complete pain management needs a three pronged approach.
- Pain medication
- Physical therapy
- Cognitive therapy.[5]
NB Always be alert to the effects of
- Opiods and Antidepressants, both slow reactions, cause sleepiness, and increase falls risks.
- Polypharmacy and falls risk
See the good informative links below for further information regarding physiotherapy and pain management.
Exercise and activity in pain management
Prescribing in Physiotherapy for Pain
Pharmacology in Pain Management
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Merskey, H., 1991. The definition of pain. European psychiatry.
- ↑ Medline Plus. Pain relievers. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/painrelievers.html (last accessed 7.4.2019)
- ↑ A Abihu. Over the counter medications: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsfFTcPv5kw (last accessed 8.4.2019)
- ↑ Mayo Clinic. Avoid opiates for chronic pain. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ9u98rALvo&feature=youtu.be (last accessed 8.4.2019)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Australian Pain management association. Medication. Available from: https://www.painmanagement.org.au/2014-09-11-13-35-53/2014-09-13-02-37-18.html (last accessed 7.4.2019)
- ↑ Dr John Campbell. Pain 11 Analgesia. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCowQo74CaM&app=desktop (last accessed 8.4.2019)
- ↑ Nursing 2019. An update on pain medications. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/nursing/Pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2010&issue=11000&article=00024&type=Fulltext (last accessed 8.4.2019)
