Pain Management and Analgesics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to pain management and analgesics, as discussed in the lecture.

Opioid agonist

Drugs that activate the Mu and/or Kappa receptors to produce analgesic effects.

Opioid antagonist

Drugs that block the Mu and Kappa receptors and inhibit opioid effects.

Narcotics

Medical term for opioids and their derivatives that produce analgesia and CNS depression.

Endogenous opioids

Natural neurotransmitters such as endorphins that help manage pain within the body.

Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

An IV pump that allows patients to self-administer pain medication within prescribed limits.

Ceiling effect

A phenomenon where increasing the dose of a medication does not increase its efficacy.

Migraine

A painful, often unilateral headache that can be debilitating, frequently accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound.

Aura

A sensory disturbance experienced by some individuals before a migraine, such as visual or auditory cues.

Nociceptive pain

Pain that arises from physical damage to body tissues.

Neuropathic pain

Pain caused by damage to the nervous system.

Agonism

The action of activating a receptor to produce a biological response.

Antagonism

The action of blocking a receptor to prevent a biological response.

Naloxone

An opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid overdoses.

Acetaminophen

A non-opioid analgesic with antipyretic properties, but minimal anti-inflammatory effects.

Prostaglandins

Hormone-like substances that contribute to pain and inflammation processes in the body.

Cox inhibitors

Drugs that inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzyme, thus affecting the production of prostaglandins.

Sumatriptan

A prototype migraine medication used to stop migraines in progress.

Ergotamine

A medication used to treat migraines by constricting blood vessels.

Chronic pain

Persistent pain that lasts weeks or longer, often requiring ongoing management.

Acute pain

Sudden pain that typically lasts a short duration, often associated with injury or surgery.