21 May 2010

Choosing the Analgesic Without Prescription Drugs

Analgesics are pain relievers that are widely used to cope with headache, fever, and mild pain. These drugs are easily obtained without a prescription. If used in a short time, these drugs are generally safe and effective. But with many kinds of analgesics available in the market, must choose the optimal drugs to patients under certain circumstances.

The selection must consider the circumstances of patients, diseases and other drugs taken at the same time, security, efficiency, price, and not behind the patient's response to therapy. Before selecting an appropriate pain relief medication, you should first know what kind of pain and referred pain that can be treated with analgesic.

Pain occurs when the body organs, muscles, or skin wounded by conflict, disease, cramps, or swelling. Pain stimuli appears generally have the ability to cause cells to release proteolytic enzymes (protein decomposition) and polypeptides that stimulate nerve endings that then cause pain impulses. Chemical compounds in the body called prostaglandins act makes the nerve endings become more sensitive to pain stimuli by this polypeptide.

Based on the location of origin, pain can be categorized into several classes, namely: somatic pain, visceral, and neuropathic. Somatic pain is pain located in the surrounding muscle or skin, generally located on the surface of the body. Visceral pain is pain that occurs within the chest cavity or abdominal cavity. Whereas neuropathic pain occurs in sensory nerve tract.

Condition which causes visceral pain include ischemia (blood deficiency) to the organ or tissue (such as severe ectoris angina / heart attack), abdominal muscle spasm, the physical strain of an organ, a stretch in the intestines, etc., that all happened in the cavity abdomen or chest. Unlike somatic pain, visceral pain can be felt is generally not precisely located, sometimes feels like in various places on the skin or muscle, but actually inside the body cavity.

Analgesic drugs without prescription are generally very effective way to overcome mild to moderate pain for this type of somatic pain in the skin, muscles, knees, rheumatism, and in other soft tissues, as well as on menstrual pain and headaches. But this is not very effective drug for visceral pain.

Analgesic drugs without a prescription usually used for acute pain and is often used for adjunctive therapy in chronic diseases that followed the pain. But not yet proven that this drug could cure neuropathic pain.

There are three classes of analgesics without a prescription is currently available in the market, namely: type of paracetamol, salicylic class includes aspirin / acetylsalicylic, atrial salicylate, magnesium salicylate, cholin salicylate, and groups such as propionic acid derivatives ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen.

Because it has similar pharmacological properties, salicylic group and propionic acid derivatives are classified as drugs non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs). These drugs are available in various brands, including as a generic drug, and is often combined with drugs or additives such as caffeine. These drugs are also encountered in the composition of medicines coughs, colds and flu.

Drugs NSAIDs have analgesic properties (pain relief), antipiretika (off heat), and anti-inflammatory (anti-swelling / inflammation). With different doses, different effects can be obtained. Doses for analgesic effect is usually lower than for anti-inflammatory.

Comparative Efficacy

From several clinical trials found no significant difference in the efficacy of analgesic drugs at standard doses. However, drugs known nonsalisilat NSAIDs superior to paracetamol and salicylates for menstrual pain and bone pain.

These medications are also NSAIDs more effective for pain associated with inflammation (such as dental pain, pain caused by sunburn, and rheumatic disorders) when used in doses for anti-inflammatory doses. Paracetamol did not even have anti-inflammatory effects, only the analgesic and antipyretic.

It should also be remembered that pain is a subjective cure is influenced by various factors in the patient, such as previous experience and the suggestion that the pain will disappear. So that could be a person will feel that a particular analgesic more potent than others, for a particular pain.

There are some health conditions that must be considered in the selection of analgesic drugs, among others:

Kidney disorders. Prostaglandins play a role in renal function and blood system. Possible risks are electrolyte disturbances, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, and nephropati. These risks are more prevalent on the use of NSAIDs nonsalisilat old drug. Patients with renal impairment are strongly advised to be careful in the use of this analgesic.

Cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessels). Drug use NSAIDs for a prolonged period can cause loss of blood pressure control in patients with cardiovascular disease. Although low-dose aspirin (50-325 mg per day) is now recommended for multiple cardiovascular disease (ischemic stroke, cardiac infarction, etc.), needed strict monitoring of your doctor or pharmacist.

Diabetes mellitus. Patients with diabetes generally include groups at high risk of side effects of drug use NSAIDs, because they have tolerance to pain is lower than normal people, so they typically require more analgesic. Because diabetic patients are also generally high risk of terminal renal disease phase, the use of analgesic drugs should be carefully and monitored by a physician or other health workers.

Digestive tract disorders. Drugs NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal complications such as dyspepsia, gastritis, ulcers, bleeding ulcers and systemically by inhibiting the synthesis protaglandin. Gastritis is a local effect that can occur at low doses, whereas gastric injury usually results from inhibition of prostaglandin systemically and often without prior symptoms.

Patients at high risk of serious gastrointestinal complications caused by NSAIDs (such as ulcers, bleeding,) are those who have a history of gastric disorders, aged more than 60 years, and those who use simultaneously other drugs such as corticosteroids, anticoagulants and nicotine . Additional risk factors, among others, is if the use of aspirin and other NSAIDs drugs in combination, and the use of aspirin and other NSAIDs drugs with alcohol. Paracetamol is the safest option for patients with gastrointestinal disorders.

Liver disease. Although not much happens, the side effects on the liver ranged from mild to fatal can be found on the use of analgesic. Salicylates can cause acute toxicity if the drug concentration in blood is high, especially if the patient has liver dysfunction (as in hepatitis) or rheumatic fever. In heavy alcohol drinkers, the risk of liver toxicity may increase with excessive paracetamol usage.

Asthma. Approximately 20% of patients with asthma has the potential to risk an allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) after use of aspirin. Patients who have a history of nasal polyps or rhinitis, hives and other allergic to aspirin should avoid using the drug. Sodium salicylate and paracetamol is a good alternative.

Blood clotting disorders. Patients with blood clotting disorders such as hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, uremia and cirrhosis should avoid drugs NSAIDs. Those who are elderly and who consume alcohol regularly and taking anticoagulant drugs may experience a longer bleeding, because it had to be careful in using NSAIDs drugs.

Among all drug products NSAIDs, salicylates nonasetil an option because it does not have a big effect on platelet function. However, paracetamol is generally still a safe choice for the condition of patients with clotting disorders.

The excess uric acid. Many patients with rheumatism / gout using analgesics for pain relief. Salicylate at a daily dose of 1-2 grams of uric acid inhibit the expenditure through the kidneys and consequently increase the concentration of uric in the blood plasma that can aggravate the condition.

Special conditions. Analgesic drug safety problems without a prescription is especially important for the elderly, infants and children, and pregnant women / nursing.

Because elderly patients are generally used for cardiovascular drugs, diuretics, and other drugs, along with the use of analgesics without prescription should be properly monitored to avoid drug interactions. In addition, elderly patients tend to be more sensitive to the effects of the drug because it has reduced kidney function, and dosage adjustment is generally necessary to reduce the side effects.

In infants and children, the safety and effectiveness of analgesic drugs depends on the proper dose. Ideally, the dose is calculated based on weight, and medication should be administered in a timely manner so that all drugs can terminum, because small children are generally difficult for children according to age.

Dosage adjustment is also needed in infants, because his weight often change significantly during the period of infant development. Salicylate is not recommended for analgesic and antipyretic in infants / children with symptoms of influenza or chickenpox because of the possibility of Reye's syndrome (symptoms of enlargement of the head / encephalopathy in

children followed by swelling of the liver). Paracetamol and ibuprofen are proven safe and effective enough for children to use short.

Analgesic drug use in pregnant / breastfeeding can affect fetal and infant through breast milk. In pregnant women, aspirin can affect the balance in the body (homeostasis), the mother and fetus. High doses can cause birth defects, fetal growth retardation in the womb, and stillbirth.

In general, paracetamol is an analgesic option for pregnant women. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are also a good choice for breastfeeding mothers.

Finally, we conclude that although the drug can be obtained without a prescription, prudence is required in the selection of appropriate analgesic in accordance with the patient's condition.

5 comments:

  1. I feel very good idea, because nowadays people use these painkillers on the wrong way because they do not use it for chronic pain but to get high or use it as ecstasy, and this is what is making these medicines are frowned upon by the FDA, which is what governs all these opiates, also observed in findrxonline that these medicines have side effects and for that reason need a prescription for its use.

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  2. Hey, thanks for the remarkable guide. Honestly, about 3 months back I started taking reading blogs and there may be just so much junk in existence. I appreciate that you just set exceptional material out that is clear and well-written. Beneficial luck and thanks for the remarkable guide!

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  4. Hi, if your doctor said it was ok, then it should be, but check the bottle's directions and warnings. if it says not to, then don't.

    Read more: www . bharatmoms. com/blogs/14/posts/183298-benadryl-diphenhydramine-medicine-for-pregnant-women

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