Pharm - Pain Flashcards
Nociceptive pain is best treated with…
…opioids, NSAIDS or acetaminophen
Neuropathic pain is best treated with…
Anti-seizure meds or antidepressants
You would treat diabetic neuropathy with…
… antidepressants or antiepileptic
Treatment options for acute musculoskeletal pain (5)
OTC NSAIDS Rx NSAIDS Skeletal muscle relaxants Opioid analgesics Topical analgesics
Acetaminophen: indications, warnings, max dose
First-line for musculoskeletal pain (mild)
Acute pain, joint pain (osteoarthritis), headaches, fever
Careful with hepatic impairment and alcohol abuse. Max 4g/day.
BBW: don’t take if you have 3+ alcoholic drinks per day
OTC NSAIDs: MOA, SEs, indications
Cox-blockers (cyclooxygenase) for mild to moderately severe pain.
Include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.
SEs:
kidney/RENAL toxicity: inhibits prostaglandin synthesis
stomach: gastric ulcers
Bleeding: platelet inhibition
SEs are b/c they non-selectively block cox1 in addition to cox2
ASA also has metabolic acidosis (salicylate toxicity) as a worry. Shares this with pepto bismol. (Life-threatening)
Rx NSAIDs: which are most similar to the OTC ones?
- Nabumetone
- Indomethacin
- Sulindac
Rx NSAIDS: which are the most potent?
- Ketorolac (injection - in ED)
- Meloxicam (oral)
Cox-2 selective Rx NSAID
Celecoxib
Still causes kidney issues, not any more effective. Rarely used
Why do we avoid using NSAIDs long-term?
What disease state might require it anyway?
Heart failure and renal failure can occur
Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory problems might need l/t NSAID therapy.
Topical NSAID: what and why?
What should you tell your patient?
Diclofenac gel
Good for joint pain (OA, RA)
No systemic side effects
Wash hands and don’t get it in your eyes
When would you use muscle relaxants for pain?
What should patients look out for?
When there’s a major neurologic injury or long-term treatment is needed. Will relieve muscle spasms.
(TBI, spinal cord injury, MS, severe back injury)
Likely to be sedating, especially at first.
Baclofen:
Class
MOA
Route
Muscle relaxant
Oral, IV, intrathecal pump
Good for l/t spastic conditions
When would you use BZDs for pain?
Treatment-resistant muscle spasticity
Relieves muscle spasms
Cyclobenzaprine- what do we know?
Muscle relaxant
For very short term use only: it’s super sedating
Tizanidine - what do we know?
Works as a muscle relaxant
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist
Watch for low BP
Methocarbamol - what do we know?
Used for muscle spasms
Very sedating - it’s a general CNS depressant
Opioids:
MOA, effects
What does SUV CARR stand for?
Mu agonist
Decrease ability to sense pain
Cause general CNS depression
Sedation U: euphoria V: vasodilation C: Constipation A: analgesia R: respiratory depression R: reduced cough