Pain Managment

Question 1

What is the stepwise strategy for managing mild-to-moderate pain in adults and children over 16 years of age:

Answer 1

Step 1 — paracetamol should be used.
Step 2 — paracetamol should be substituted with ibuprofen or, if ibuprofen is unsuitable, a weak opioid (such as codeine).
Step 3 — paracetamol should be added to ibuprofen or the weak opioid.
Step 4 — paracetamol should be continued and ibuprofen replaced with an alternative NSAID.
Step 5 — a weak opioid should be started in addition to paracetamol and/or a NSAID.