Drug therapy Protocols QAS

Morphine, Paracetamol, Fentanyl, Methoxyflurane, Ibuprofen, Ondansetron

Morphine drug class

narcotic analgesic

Narcotic analgesic explanation

A class of drugs that relieve pain by altering the perception of pain in the brain.

Pharmacology of morphine

Morphine binds with opioid receptors, altering pain perception and emotional response to pain

Indications for morphine

Significant pain

Sedation

Autonomic dysreflexia with systolic BP >160 mmHg.

Precautions for morphine

Hypotension

Respiratory tract burns

Respiratory depression or failure

Known addiction to narcotics

Concurrent MAOI therapy

Cardiac chest pain.

Contraindications for morphine

Allergy or adverse drug reactions

Kidney disease (renal failure).

Side effects of Morphine

Bradycardia

Drowsiness

Hypotension,

Nausea/vomiting

Pinpoint pupils

Respiratory depression.

Paracetamol pharmacology

An analgesic antipyretic that exhibits analgesic and antipyretic activity but does not possess significant anti-inflammatory activity.

Indications for paracetamol

Mild to moderate pain

Fever causing distress.

Contraindications for paracetamol

Allergy or adverse drug reactions

Patients less than one month of age

Dose of paracetamol for >16 years

0.5-1g every 4 hours, maximum 4g in 24 hours.

Fentanyl drug class and explanation

A synthetic narcotic analgesic that acts on the central nervous system by binding to opioid receptors, used for pain management.

Indications for fentanyl

Significant pain

Sedation

Autonomic dysreflexia with systolic BP >160 mmHg.

Contraindications for fentanyl

Allergy and/or adverse drug reactions.

Side effects of fentanyl

Bradycardia

Drowsiness

Hypotension

Nausea/vomiting

Pinpoint pupils

Respiratory depression

Muscular rigidity.

Methoxyflurane

An analgesic at low concentrations that provides analgesia when inhaled

Indication for methoxyflurane

Pain with the ability for self-administration.

Contraindications for methoxyflurane

Allergy or adverse drug reactions

Patients less than 1 year old

Known liver or renal disease

Malignant hyperthermia.

Side effects of methoxyflurane

Altered level of consciousness

Dizziness

Cough.

How does Morphine work?

Morphine acts on the central nervous system by binding with opioid receptors, altering pain perception and emotional response to pain.