pharmacology

what drugs are used for pain?

• amitriptyline

• carbamazepine

• codeine

• fentanyl

• gabapentin

• ibuprofen

• morphine

• naproxen

• paracetamol

• tramadol

what are the uses of paracetamol?

• aches

• mild to moderate pain

• fever

what are the brand names for paracetamol?

• disprol

• hedex

• medinol

• panadol

what is the correct dosage of paracetamol?

• 1 tablet: 500mg

• max adult: 8 tablets/24 hours

paracetamol fun facts

• safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding

• risk of overdose

• unsafe in liver and kidney diseases

• allergic reactions

• side effects are rare

what is ibuprofen used for?

• pain

• inflammation

what type of drug is ibuprofen?

• NSAID

  • reduces hormones that cause pain and inflammation:

    reduction of prostaglandins by COX (Cyclooxigenase) inhibition

what is the dosage of ibuprofen?

• 1 tablet: 200/400/600mg

• max 1200g/24hr

what are the contraindications for ibuprofen?

• previous stomach bleeding

  • requires stomach protection

• ulcer

• severe heart failure

• kidney failure

• liver failure

• crohn’s disease/ ulcerative colitis

what are the side effects of ibuprofen?

• feeling/being sick

• stomach pain

• tiredness/sleepiness

• black faeces

• blood in vomit

• tinnitus (ringing in ears)

• difficulty breathing

• arrythmias

• allergic reaction

what type of drug is naproxen?

prescription NSAID

what are the brand names for naproxen?

• naprosyn

• stirlescent wha

what are the uses of naproxen?

• pain and inflammation

• rheumatoid arthritis

• osteoarthritis

• gout

• menstrual pain

• back pain

• sprains and strains

what are the side effects of naproxen?

• confusion

• headache

• tinnitus

• changes in vision

• tiredness

• drowsiness

• dizziness

• rashes

• stomach issues (protection required)

what type of drug is codeine?

opiate

when is codeine indicated?

• when paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin do not work

• short term treatment

what are the side effects of codeine?

• constipation

• nausea

• sleepiness

• risk of addiction

what is tramadol used for?

• moderate-severe pain

• post-operative pain

what type of drug is tramadol?

opiate/narcotic (strong painkiller)

what are the side effects of tramadol?

• sickness

• dizziness

• confusion

• risk of dependance and withdrawal

what is morphine used for?

• severe pain

• cancer pain

what are the side effects of morphine?

• constipation

• sickness

• tiredness

• dizziness

• vertigo

• confusion

• headaches

• skin rashes

fentanyl fun facts

• strong opiate (controlled medicine)

• risk of addiction

what drugs are used for neuropathic pain?

• amitriptyline

• carbamazepine

• gabapentin and pregabalin

amitriptyline

• tricyclic antidepressants

• increases brain serotonin

• mood effects

carbamazepine

• decreases neuronal excitability

• anti-epileptic

gabapentin and pregabalin

• decreases release of excitatory neurotransmitters

• anti-epileptic

what drugs are used for inflammation?

NSAID:

• ibuprofen

steroids:

• prednisolone

• dexamethasone

steroid fun facts

• use: wide range of diseases

• anti-inflammatories

• immunosuppressant

• short term use

• endocrine side effects

what drugs are used for diabetes?

• metformin (enhance insulin sensitivity)

• insulin