management of pain in practice Flashcards
what is pain?
complex
perceived by patient- variable thresholds
co-factors such as isolation, sleep, anxiety
many different types of pain
what ovservational changes would you make when assessing pain?
autonomic changes- pallor, sweatting
facial expressions
body movements- altered gait, pacing
verbilisations/ vocalisations- sigh/ grunt
interpersonal interactions- aggression, withdrawl
changes in activity patterns- wandering altered sleep
mental status changes- confusion, crying
what are the types of chronic pain?
nociceptive- oa
neuropathic- post-stroke
visceral- pancreatitis
mixed- lower back
what factors do you consider when treating pain?
type cause acute/ chronic? exacerbating/ relieving factors non-pharmacological managemnet
what is chronic non-cancer pain?
complex
perception of pain alt by social, psychological and cultural contex
what would you use for mild- moderate pain?
paracetamol
nsaids
cosibs
aspirin
weak opioids- codeine, dhc, tramadol- careful
if the patient was u16 how would you treat their pain?
paracetamol/ ibuprofen monotherapy
2nd line- alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen
what is the treatment regimenin adults for analgesic?
1- paractemol 1g QDS or ibuprofen 400mg TDS max of 2.4
2-paractamol and ibuprofen
3- alt nsaid eg naproxen 250-500mg BD
4- weak opioid eg codeine up to 60mg QDS with paracetamol +- NSAID
what do you consider when someone is taking NSAID?
1- dont use unless you have to
2- if you have to use them, use them wisely
3- consider gastroprotection in those at high risk
what would the dosing be of weak opioids?
codeine 30-60mg every 4 hours. Max 240mg in 24 hours
DHC- 30mg every 4-6 hours max 240mg in 24 hours
tramadol 50- 100mg every 4 hours. max 400mg in 24 hours
when would doses be lowered for weak opioids?
lower doses in elderly people, CKD, hypothyroidism and adrenocorticoid insufficency
what would the adverse effects be of weak opioids?
CNS depression- sedation
GI- nausea, vom, constipation
dependence /tolerance- limit use 3 dat OTC
tramadol- seizures, hallucinations, confusion, hyponatraemia, hypoglycaemia
what should you be cautious with all weak opioids?
caution with other CNS depressants and alcohol
when should you avoid MAOI?
avoid during use of weak opioids and for 2 weeks after stopping MAOI
why do you have to be cautious about tramadol?
drugs which can lower the seizure threshold
warfarin- raised INR
SSRI- serotonin syndrome and inc seizure risk
what are the strong opioids?
morphine- immediate or modified release
morphine paranteral
diamorphine
what are the main forms of oral morphine?
immediate release
oramorph - 10mg/5ml
oramorph concentrated 20mg/ml
sevredol tabs 10/20/0 mg
12 hour mr- MST or zomorph
24 hour- MXL
How would you dose in chronic pain?
initiation: 5-10mg every 4 hours of immediate release morphine, adjusted according to response
adjustments: increments of no more than 1/3 to 1/2 if the total daily dose every 24 hours
once the immediate release medication controls the pain, how do you stwitch to MR?
1- calculate the total daily dose of morphine
10mg every 4 hours= 60mg
2- give the same total daily dose but select the MR product and dosing frequency
eg 60mg daily= 30mg zomorph BD
3- calculate an appropiate breakthrough dose
what is the usual breakthrough dose- nb?
1/6-1/10th of the TOTAl daily dose of morphine
when would you give parenteral admin of opioids?
patient unable to swallow
GI dysfunction