Analgesics

abstract

Analgesics are the painkiller substances, which act by the absence of pain without losing consciousness. The word analgesic derives from Greek an- ("without") and algos ("pain"). Analgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous systems.
Analgesics are medications that relieve pain. Unlike medications used for anesthesia during surgery, analgesics don't turn off nerves, change the ability to sense your surroundings or alter consciousness. They are sometimes called painkillers or pain relievers.

ANALGESICS

A drug that selectively relieves pain by acting in CNS or on peripheral pain mechanism, without significantly altering consciousness.

ANAESTHESIA

Anaesthesia means loss of sensation. Anaesthetic agent is one which bring about loss of all modalities of sensation, particularly pain, along with a reversible loss of consciousness.

PAIN (ALGESIA)

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage.

CLASSIFICATION

1)OPIOD ANALGESIC

Narcotic
Morphine like

2)ΝΟΝ ΟΡΙΟID ANALGESIC

Non-narcotic
Antipyretic
Aspirin like NSAIDS

Type of anticonvulsant

Mechanism of action of analgesics :

These drugs work by blocking the action of cyclooxygenase (COX), an enzyme that is involved in the production of inflammatory mediators. Opioid analgesics include morphine, codeine, and fentanyl. These drugs work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which reduces the perception of pain. Analgesics also can inhibit the transmission of non-nociceptive impulses along primary afferents (eg, local anesthetics) or by altering the perception of pain (eg, opioids).

People take analgesics to alleviate many types of pain, including Trusted Source, but not limited to, the following:

postsurgical pain

Acute pain, such as:

period pain
headache
toothache
sprains or strains
broken bones
burns
bites or stings
chronic pain, such as that associated with the following conditions:
fibromyalgia
arthritis
cancer
neuropathy

Side effect

Analgesics are generally safe.

But they can cause side effects and complications, if you use them too often, for too long or in very large doses:

Damage to internal organs, such as the liver or kidneys.
Diarrhea or constipation.
Heart problems.
Hypersensitivity response, which is like an allergic reaction.
Nausea, upset stomach or heartburn.
Ringing in the ears, or even deafness.
Stomach ulcers.
Trouble forming clots in the blood, which can lead to excessive bleeding.

kinetic properties

Individual variability in pain perception and differences in the efficacy of analgesic drugs are complex phenomena and are partly genetically predetermined.
Analgesics act in various ways on the peripheral and central pain pathways and are regarded as one of the most valuable but equally dangerous groups of medications.
While pharmacokinetic properties of drugs, metabolism in particular, have been scrutinised by genotype–phenotype correlation studies, the clinical significance of inherited variants in genes governing pharmacodynamics of analgesics remains largely unexplored (apart from the µ-opioid receptor.
Lack of replication of the findings from one study to another makes meaningful personalised analgesic regime still a distant future.
This narrative review will focus on findings related to pharmacogenetics of commonly used analgesic medications and highlight authors’ views on future clinical implications of pharmacogenetics in the context of pharmacological treatment of chronic pain.
Pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics, analgesics, polymorphism, metabolism, genetic screening, genetic association studies, inter-individual variability, pain, single-nucleotide polymorphism, pain perception, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, phenotype.

Drug interactions involving analgesics:

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) with Anticoagulants: NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants like warfarin or heparin.
Acetaminophen with Alcohol **: Combining acetaminophen with alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage.
*Opioids with Sedatives or Alcohol*: Combining opioids with other central nervous system depressants like benzodiazepines or alcohol can lead to severe respiratory depression and even overdose.
*NSAIDs with ACE Inhibitors or ARBs*: NSAIDs can reduce the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and increase the risk of kidney problems.
*Aspirin with Anticoagulants or Antiplatelet Drugs*: Combining aspirin with other blood-thinning medications can increase the risk of bleeding.