Pharmacology and Pain Management Essentials

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering non-opioid analgesics, opioids, adjuvant pain medications, migraine treatments, connective tissue disorder drugs, and oncology agents based on nursing lecture notes.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes to treat mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation, but increase risks for GI bleeding, kidney injury, and fluid retention.

Aspirin

A first-generation NSAID that provides antiplatelet effects in addition to reducing pain, fever, and inflammation.

Ketorolac

A powerful first-generation NSAID with high risks for GI and kidney complications.

Celecoxib

A second-generation selective COX-2 inhibitor used for arthritis and chronic inflammatory pain; it causes less GI irritation than traditional NSAIDs but maintains serious cardiovascular risks and should be checked against sulfonamide allergies.

Acetaminophen

A non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic that works primarily in the CNS to reduce pain and fever; it lacks significant anti-inflammatory or antiplatelet effects and carries a maximum adult dose of $4,000\,mg/day$ to prevent liver toxicity.

Opioid Agonists

Medications such as Morphine and Fentanyl that stimulate opioid receptors to manage moderate to severe pain, requiring priority assessment of respiratory rate and level of consciousness due to risks of respiratory depression and sedation.

Butorphanol

A mixed agonist-antagonist opioid used for moderate to severe pain, migraines, or labor pain; it can precipitate withdrawal symptoms in clients who are physically dependent on opioids.

Naloxone

An opioid antagonist used for the emergency reversal of opioid overdose and respiratory depression by blocking opioid receptors.

Amitriptyline

A tricyclic antidepressant used for neuropathic pain and migraine prevention; it is characterized by anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention.

Gabapentin

An anticonvulsant adjuvant medication used to treat neuropathic pain, diabetic neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia; major concerns include dizziness, drowsiness, and unsteady gait.

Sumatriptan

A serotonin receptor agonist (triptan) used for acute treatment of migraines by causing cranial blood vessel constriction; it is contraindicated in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or uncontrolled hypertension.

Ergotamine

An ergot alkaloid used for acute migraine treatment that causes strong vasoconstriction; it should be avoided in pregnancy and vascular disease and can cause numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes.

Methotrexate

A DMARD and antimetabolite used for rheumatoid arthritis and chemotherapy; it acts as a folic acid antagonist and requires monitoring for bone marrow suppression, hepatotoxicity, and pulmonary toxicity.

Etanercept

A biologic DMARD and TNF-alpha inhibitor used for rheumatoid arthritis that increases infection risk and requires TB screening before starting therapy.

Auranofin

A gold compound DMARD used for rheumatoid arthritis to decrease joint inflammation and slow disease progression; potential side effects include rash, stomatitis, and bone marrow suppression.

Cyclosporine

An immunosuppressant and calcineurin inhibitor used to prevent transplant rejection; it carries high risks for nephrotoxicity, hypertension, infection, and gingival hyperplasia.

Colchicine

An antigout medication used for acute flares by decreasing the inflammatory response to uric acid crystals; toxicity is often signaled by severe GI symptoms like diarrhea.

Allopurinol

A xanthine oxidase inhibitor used for long-term prevention of gout by lowering uric acid levels; it is not intended for acute pain relief.

Belimumab

A monoclonal antibody used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by blocking B-lymphocyte stimulators; requires monitoring for infection and mood changes.

Vaccines

Biological preparations that provide active immunity by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies and immune memory; live vaccines like MMR and varicella are contraindicated in pregnancy and severe immunocompromise.

Immunoglobulin G

An immunoglobulin that provides passive immunity by supplying ready-made antibodies for immediate, temporary protection; it does not create long-term immune memory.

Tamoxifen

An estrogen receptor blocker used to treat receptor-positive breast cancer; complications include hot flashes, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and increased risk for endometrial cancer.

Interferon alfa-2b

A biologic response modifier that boosts the immune response for certain cancers and viral infections; it is frequently associated with flu-like symptoms and depression.

Cetuximab

A monoclonal antibody and EGFR inhibitor used for colorectal and head/neck cancers; it is noted for causing infusion reactions, an acne-like rash, and low magnesium levels.

Epoetin alfa

An erythropoietic growth factor that stimulates the bone marrow to increase RBC production to treat anemia; it increases the risk for hypertension and thromboembolism.

Filgrastim

A leukopoietic growth factor used to treat neutropenia by stimulating neutrophil production; a common side effect is bone pain.