Pain Killers Medications Information

 

Pain Medications

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

In a search for effective anti-inflammatory drugs with lesser toxicity than the older established NSAIDs (salicylates and pyrazolones), several organic acids were shown to have a lower incidence of side effects like tinnitus and GI distress, than comparably effective doses of the salicylates or pyrazolones. These compounds have been termed as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Out of these substances, indomethacin is considerably more toxic than the rest. The NSAIDs belong to various chemical classes, and display significant differences in their pharmacokinetic properties).

Indomethacin 
Indomethacin is used in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis for its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects.

Sulindac 
It is closely related to indomethacin, and has analgesic antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity which depends on its active sulphide metabolite.

Tolmetin 
Chemically Tolmetin resembles indomethacin, but its properties are more like the propionic acid derivatives. It is a relatively new anti- inflammatory and analgesic—antipyretic agent, and is equivalent in efficacy to moderate doses of aspirin.

Etodolac 
Etodolac is effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Propionic Acid Derivatives Pain Killers

Ibuprofen 
Clinically it is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (including Still’s disease), osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, dysmenorrhoea, cervical spondylosis, and ophthalmic, dental and ENT inflammation.

Fenoprofen 
Fenoprofen is chemically and pharmacologically similar to ibuprofen. It is as effective as aspirin for rheumatoid arthritis, and as effective as phenylbutazone for osteoarthritis.

Naproxen 
Like aspirin, it hash analgesic—antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions.

Flurbiprofen 
Flurbiprofen is a newer propionic acid derivative, and shares the same mechanism of action as other NSAIDs. It is considered to be one of the potent inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis.

Oxaprozin 
Oxaprozin is one of the newest propionic acid derivatives.

Fenamates
The anthro-anilic acid derivatives (fenamates) are aspirin-like drugs, but have not gain widespread clinical acceptance, because of the side effects.

Mefenamic Acid 
It is another NSAID, and may be useful in the relief of pain in conditions which do not ordinarily require strong analgesics.

Meclofenamate 
Meclofenamate should not be used as initial therapy for rheumatoid arthritis r osteoarthritis, due to the high incidence of diarrhea.

Phenylacetic Acid Derivative Pain Killers

Diclofenac 
Diclofenac has analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activities. It is an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase and its potency is appreciably greater than at of indomethacin, naproxen, and several other NSAIDs.

Diclofenac is approved for long-term treatment rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Oxicams

Piroxicam 
Piroxicam possesses anti-inflammatory analgesic and antipyretic activity It is the NSAID offered for once-a-day treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and this helps patient compliance.

Nimusulide 
Nimusulide is a sulfonanilide compound. It action is rather different than that of the classic NSAIDs. It is a relatively weak inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, but has a potent anti-inflammatory action.

Nabumetone 
Nabumetone is a weak inhibitor of cycloxygenase in vitro, but has substantial anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic activity.