Pain Flashcards
Name 3 NSAIDs
Naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac
What is the mechanism by which NSAIDs work?
COX inhibitor. Therefore, inhibit the synthesis prostaglandins from ARACHIDONIC ACID.
Benefits from blocking COX2, SEs from COX1
COX1: prostaglandins essential for:
- Maintaining gastric mucosa
- Maintaining renal perfusion
- Preventing thrombus formation in vascular endothelium
COX2: prostaglandins:
- Release prostaglandins in response to inflammatory stimuli. Causes inflammation and pain.
What are the indications for NSAIDs?
- PRN for mild-to-moderate pain where paracetamol (1st line) is insufficient
- Tx of long term pain conditions caused by inflammation (especially MSK) - topical Tx preferred.
What are the CIs for NSAIDs
Severe renal Impairment
CV/liver failure
Hypersensitivity
Cautioned (use lowest dose for least amount of time) in:
- Pts at risk of peptic ulceration/GI bleeds
- CV disease
- Renal impairment
What are the SEs of NSAIDs?
- Peptic ulceration/GI bleeds
- Hypersensitivity (bronchospasm)
- Renal impairment (causing ^H2O/Na - ^BP)
- Increases risk of CV events (increased BP)
Ibuprofen is safest NSAID
What are the potential drug interactions of NSAID
Increases risk of NSAID related adverse effects
- GI ulceration - NSAIDs + corticosteroids
- GI bleeds - NSAIDs + SSRIs + venafloxine
- Renal impairment - NSAIDs + diuretics
- Increases risk of bleeding with warfarin
- Reduces therapeutics effects of diuretics and antihypertensives
How are NSAIDs excreted?
Renally
Name 2 strong opioids
Morphine (natural) oxycodon (synthetic)
What is the mechanism by which morphone/oxycodon works?
Activate CNS U (mu) receptors which reduce pain transmission and reduce excitability
Medulla - blunts response to hypoxia and hypercapnia, reducing respiratory drive and SOB
Reduced pain, SOB and anxiety reduces sympathetic drive. This, in context of MI and acute pulmonary oedema, reduces cardiac work and oxygen demand
What are the indications for morphine and oxycodon?
- Relief and Tx of acute severe pain (post operation, MI)
- Relief of chronic severe pain where paracetamol, NSAIDs and weak opioids have proved ineffective (3rd rung of analgesic ladder)
- Relief of breathlessness in context of palliative care
- Relief SOB and anxiety in pulmonary oedema (along with O2, furosemide and nitrates)
What are the contraindications for morphine and oxycodon?
- Renal and hepatic impairment - reduce dose
- Elderly - reduce dose
What are the SEs of morphine/oxycodon?
- Respiratory depression
- Euphoria, detachment, neurological depression
- Papillary constriction - reduced sympathetic drive and activation of Erdinger Westphal nucleus
- Activates chemoreceptor trigger zone - nausea and vomiting
- Histamine release - sweating, rashes, urticaria, vasodilation
- Constipation - U receptor activation increases smooth muscle tone, reducing GI motility
- Long term use can result in tolerance and dependence (cold turkey symptoms if withdrawn suddenly - opposite effects of morphine i.e. pain, dryness)
What are the potential drug interactions of morphine?
Avoid use with other sedating drugs e.g. antipsychotics, benzo’s, tricyclic antidepressants
Name 3 weak opioids
Codeine, dihydrocodeine, tramadol
What is the mechanism by which codeine and dihyrdocodeine work?
- Both very weak opioids
- Broken down to morphine (codeine) and dihydromorphine (dihydrocodeine) which are agonists of U receptors in CNS - reduce pain transmission