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Workshop Manual - Faculty of pain medicine - Australian and New ...

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How do analgesics work<br />

Simple analgesics<br />

Paracetamol<br />

NSAIMs<br />

Change prostagl<strong>and</strong>in levels in the brain<br />

Mainly work by changing prostagl<strong>and</strong>in levels in<br />

the periphery, thereby reducing inflammation<br />

Opioid analgesics<br />

Codeine<br />

Morphine, pethidine<br />

Acts on opioid receptors in the brain <strong>and</strong><br />

spinal cord<br />

Act on opioid receptors in the brain <strong>and</strong><br />

spinal cord<br />

Other analgesics<br />

Amitriptyline<br />

Anticonvulsants<br />

Local anaesthetics<br />

Tramadol<br />

Ketamine<br />

Increases descending inhibitory signals in the<br />

spinal cord<br />

“Membrane stabilisers”, probably work by<br />

reducing abnormal firing <strong>of</strong> <strong>pain</strong> nerves<br />

Temporarily block signalling in <strong>pain</strong> nerves in<br />

periphery (e.g. infiltration or nerve block) or<br />

spinal cord (e.g. spinal block)<br />

Acts weakly on opioid receptors, also increases<br />

descending inhibitory signals in the spinal cord<br />

Blocks NMDA receptors in the brain <strong>and</strong> spinal<br />

cord (especially in dorsal horn)<br />

Clonidine<br />

Increases descending inhibitory signals in the<br />

spinal cord<br />

PAIN TREATMENT<br />

ESSENTIAL PAIN MANAGEMENT 23

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