Analgesic Drugs

Question 1

Opioid - Full Agonists
- Morphine
- Pethidine
- Fentanyl
- Methadone
- Tramadol

Answer 1

• Provide maximum analgesia
• Bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord

Advantage:
Can be topped up to increase analgesia

Disadvantage:
High doses = bradycardia

Question 2

Opioid - Partial Agonists
- Butorphanol
- Buprenorphine

Answer 2

• Moderate pain relief
• Ceiling effect – increase dose wont increase analgesia
• Bind to opioid receptors but do not produce full effect

Advantage:
Mild to moderate pain

Disadvantage:
Reaches analgesic plateau

Question 3

Opioid - Antagonist
- Naloxone

Answer 3

• Reverse effects of opioid analgesics block opioid receptors and dislodge opioids from receptor sites

Advantage:
Antidote in case of overdose/bad reactions/inappropriate depth of anaesthesia

Question 4

NSAIDs
- Meloxicam
- Carprofen
- Robenacoxib

Answer 4

• Reduce pain, inflammation and fever
• Inhibit COX enzymes which are responsible for producing prostaglandins (chemical mediators involved in pain and inflammation)

Question 5

Anticonvulsant
- Gabapentin

Answer 5

• Neuropathic pain relief
• Seizure management
• Anxiety reduction

Disadvantage:
Side effects include nausea, ataxia, lethargy, sedation