Dorothy FarrarPainkillers (analgesics)
Painkillers ( analgesics ) are drugs that have a pain-relieving (analgesic) effect. They can be used to relieve chronic and acute pain, but unfortunately they are often taken too frequently and unsecured.
What are pain relievers (analgesics)?
There are very different painkillers (analgesics), which can be divided into different painkiller groups based on their chemical structure, the different durations of action, their sphere of action and their potency. The most commonly used classification is that of non-opioids and opioids.
The non-opioids are painkillers that are not effective on opioid receptors and are divided again into the group of acidic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and non-acidic analgesics ( paracetamol , metamizole). Their effects are primarily anti-inflammatory (antiphlogistic), antipyretic (antipyretic), analgesic (analgesic) and inhibit platelet aggregation.
The opioids act on so-called opioid receptors. However, their name comes from the fact that they are made from a natural substance extracted from the opium poppy. But there are also synthetically produced opioids. Their mode of action is slightly different than that of non-opioids and can be described as euphoric (inducing feelings of happiness), analgesic, aphrodisiac (encourages sex drive) and sedative (calming). Unfortunately, opioids are often misused as intoxicants and can lead to addiction.
Effect and application
Opioids work by interacting with what are known as opioid receptors. At these receptors, they inhibit the development and transmission of pain. The opioid receptors are found on the surfaces of many cells in our body, most notably on the surface of nerve cells.
There are also natural opioid receptor binding proteins in the body that also play a role in the sensation of pain. Opioids act mainly in the central nervous system, but there are also opioids that cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and only act in the intestines (loperamide), for example, and help against diarrhea there by slowing down the movement of the intestines
Opioids are used for severe pain, diarrhea , dry cough or for anesthesia. Opioids are often used to treat pain in cancer patients who are dying. Since opioids can lead to addiction, they are subject to the Narcotics and Narcotics Act in Germany.
The non-opioids do not act like the opioids in the central nervous system, but mainly in the periphery. They have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). This inhibits prostaglandin release.
The non-opioid pain reliever is acetaminophen. Non-opioids are used primarily for various types of pain (e.g. headaches , toothaches , menstrual cramps , fever , to prevent thrombosis and to treat various inflammatory diseases (e.g. rheumatism ). Most non-opioid painkillers are freely available in Germany.
Groups and active ingredients (trade names)
non-opioids
The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can be divided into the following groups:
Anthranilic Acid Derivatives:
- Mefenamic acid (e.g. Ponstan®)
- Flufenamic acid (e.g. Assan®)
acetic acid derivatives:
- Diclofenac (z.B. Voltaren®)
- Acemetacin (z.B. Tilur®)
Salicylate:
- Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (e.g. Aspirin®)
- Calciumcarbasalat (z.B. Alcacyl®)
Propionic acid derivatives:
- Ibuprofen (z.B. Algifor®)
- Ketotropfen (z.B. Fastum®)
Oxyame:
- Meloxicam (z.B. Mobicox®)
- Piroxicam (zB Felden®)
Herbal and natural pain relievers
There are also painkillers (analgesics) that are purely herbal and natural: phytopharmaceuticals. Phytopharmaceuticals referred to as herbal NSAIDs are Spiraea and willow bark. The two most important non-acidic analgesics are paracetamol and metamizole.
Opioids
- Codeine (eg Codipront® ) is methylated morphine and therefore occurs naturally in the opium poppy. It is often available in tablets in combination with paracetamol.
- Morphine (eg Kapanol®, MST Continus®, Sevredol®) occurs naturally in opium (opium poppy).
- Oxycodone (eg Oxycontin®) is present in the analgesic in the form of oxycodone hydrochloride (odorless, crystalline and white powder).
risks and side effects
The most common and important side effects of opioids are respiratory depression (there is a risk of suffocation) and reduced vigilance (a decrease in alertness). Long-term use can also lead to constipation. There is also a risk of dependency. The most common side effects of non-opioid drugs are stomach pain , but also vomiting , nausea and diarrhea .
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.