Wk 25 - Pain in Practice Flashcards
Give examples of observational changes for pain
- Pallor, tremor, tachycardia
- Grimacing, brow raising
- Altered gait, pacing
- Grunting, groaning
- Altered sleep
- Confusion, crying
What are the basic principles of prescribing analgesia?
- By mouth
- By clock
- By ladder
Outline the WHO analgesic ladder
- Step 1: non-opioid eg. paracetamol
- Step 2: weak opioid eg. codeine
- Step 3: Strong opioid: morphine
Give examples of mild to moderate pain analgesic options
- Paracetamol - inhibition of COX enzymes
- NSAIDs eg. ibuprofen + naproxen - non selective COX inhibitor
- Coxibs eg. celecoxib + etoricoxib - selective COX2 inhibitors
- Aspirin - blocks thromboxane production
Give examples of weak opioids to treat mild-to-moderate pain
- Codeine
- Dihydrocodeine
- Tramadol (inhibits NA + serotonin)
What is the choice of analgesic for under 16?
- 1st line (>3 months): paracetamol or ibuprofen
- 2nd line: Paracetamol + ibuprofen
- 3rd line: specialist advice
What is the choice of analgesics for adults?
- 1st line: Paracetamol 1g QDS or ibuprofen 400mg TDS (max 2.4g)
- 2nd line: paracetamol + ibuprofen
- 3rd line: Naproxen 250-500mg BD
- 4th line: weak opioid eg. codeine 60mg QDS w/ paracetamol + NSAIDs
What are things to consider when giving NSAIDs?
- Consider topical NSAIDs before oral for OA
- Think about CV, GI + renal issues
- Use lowest dose for shortest period
- Co-prescribe PPI
What is the dose for codeine?
- 30-60mg every 4hrs
- Max 240mg in 24hrs
What is the dose for dihydrocodeine?
- 30mg every 4-6hrs
- Max 240mg in 24hrs
What is the dose for tramadol?
- 50-100mg every 4hrs
- Max 400mg in 24 hrs
When should the dose be lowered when giving weak opioids?
- Elder
- CKD
- Hypothyroidism
- Adrenocortical insufficiency
What are the adverse effects of weak opioids?
- CNS depression (sedation)
- GI: nausea, vom + constipation
- Dependence: limit 3 days, caution w/ suspected dependence + w/drawal symptoms
- Tramadol: seizures, hallucinations, hyponatremia, hypoglycaemia
Give examples of drug interactions of weak opioids
- Caution w/ CNS depressants + alcohol
- MAOI - avoid during use + 2 weeks after stopping
- Tramadol: drugs that lower seizure threshold (TCA + carbamazepine), warfarin (raised INR) + SSRIs (inc seizure risk)
Give examples of strong opioids
- Morphine oral: IR + MR
- Morphine parenteral
- Diamorphine parenteral
Give examples of immediate release oral morphine
- Oramorph morphine sulphate oral solution (10mg/5ml)
- Oramorph conc morphine sulphate oral solution (20mg/ml)
- Sevredol tabs (10/20/50mg)
Give examples of 12hr MR oral morphine
- MST continus tabs
- Zomorph caps
Give an example of a 24hr MR oral morphine
MXL capsules
Outline the initiation for chronic pain
- 5-10mg every 4hrs of IR morphine
- Adjust: 1/3 to 1/2 of total daily dose every 24hrs
How do you convert to MR preparation?
- Calculate total daily dose
- Same total daily dose as MR product
- Calculate breakthrough
- Start 10-20mg BD + titrate whilst continuing IR when required