Analgesics
What are analgesics?
• Analgesic: A drug or
medicine given to reduce
pain without resulting in
loss of consciousness.
Analgesics are sometimes
referred to as painkiller
medications.
What are the major types of analgesics?
1. Paracetamol and and Nonsteroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
2. Opiates and morphinomimetics
3. COX2 Inhibitors
3. Specific agents
Aspirin
• Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid is a drug in
the family of salicylates, often used as an
analgesic (to relieve minor aches and
pains), antipyretic (to reduce fever), and
as an anti-inflammatory.
• It also has an antiplatelet ("bloodthinning") effect and is used in longterm, low doses to prevent heart attacks
and cancer.
Discovery of Aspirin
• In 1897 , Felix Hoffmann
first made acetylsalicylic
acid, better known
today as aspirin, to ease
his father’s arthritis .
Chemical structure of aspirin
2-acetoxybenzoic acid
Willow tree is a source of Salicylic acid
Who should not take aspirin?
• Patients with hemophilia or other bleeding
tendencies should not take salicylates.
• Some sources recommend that patients with
hyperthyroidism avoid aspirin because it elevates
T4 levels.
• Caution should be taken in patients with kidney
disease, peptic ulcers, mild diabetes or gout.
Who should not take aspirin?
• Children under age 17 are
never given aspirin because
of the concern about Reyes
Syndrome, a potentially
deadly disease affecting the
brain and the liver.
Morphine
• Morphine is in a group of drugs
called narcotic pain relievers.
• Morphine is used to treat moderate
to severe pain. Short-acting
morphine is taken as needed for
pain.
Discovery of morphine
• Morphine was discovered by
Freidrich Wilhelm Adam
Serturner (1783-1841), an
uneducated, 21-year-old
pharmacist's assistant with
little equipment but loads of
curiosity .
Who should not take morphine ?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
kidney disease
liver disease
asthma
urinary retention
an enlarged prostate
hypothyroidism
gallbladder disease
a head injury
addison's disease
Side effects of morphine
1. an allergic reaction
2. difficulty breathing
3. closing of your throat
4. swelling of your lips, tongue, or face
5. slow, weak breathing
6. cold, clammy skin
7. severe weakness
8. dizziness
9. unconsciousness
Paracetamol
• Paracetamol or acetaminophen , is a common
analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used for the
relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches
and pains.
• Common brand names for the drug include Tylenol
and Panadol.
Toxic dose
• The toxic dose of paracetamol is highly
variable .In adults, single doses above 10
grams or 150 mg/kg have a reasonable
likelihood of causing toxicity.
• Toxicity can also occur when multiple smaller
doses within 24 hours exceeds these levels, or
even with chronic ingestion of doses as low as
4 g/day, and death with as little as 6 g/day.
Reference
1. http//:www.homedrugtestingkit.com/morphine.html
2. http://heart.health.ivillage.com/aspirin/aspirin.cfm
3. http://nobleboss.awardspace.com/mednotes/pharmanotes/chapter_
set4/non_narco_anlgsc.htm