How does analgesic work in the body

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Analgesics are a class of drugs used to relieve analgesia pain. They work by blocking pain signals to the brain or interfering with the brain's interpretation of those signals. Analgesics are broadly categorized as being either non-opioid non-narcotic or opioid narcotic pain relievers. While each has a slightly different mechanism of action, they work by blocking a type of enzyme known as cyclooxygenase, or COX. There two different types of this enzyme, COX-1, and COX-2, both of which are responsible for triggering inflammation and pain in response to injury.

Opioid analgesics are a type of drug that works by binding to opioid receptors located throughout the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. These receptors not only regulate certain somatic functions such as pain , but they are also responsible for triggering the psychoactive mind-altering effects people associate with opioid drugs.

Opioid drugs are medically used for pain relief, anesthesia, and to treat opiate addiction. They are not associated with the same organ toxicity or side effects typically associated with NSAIDs. While safe when used as prescribed, opioids can cause drowsiness, nausea, constipation, hypoventilation abnormally shallow breathing , and euphoria in some.

This is particularly true for older adults who are more prone to these effects. Fourteen out of 27 students would wait 1—2 weeks before they would consult their doctor if symptoms persisted Fig. No chronic users were found. All the doses that the students took apart from 1 student , followed the guidelines in the patient information leaflet Table 5.

A considerable proportion of students The distribution of males and females who use and who do not use analgesics in a chi-squared contingency table. Six students stated they used a common brand of analgesic For result purposes, the major analgesic ingredient in these brands was used where apparent.

For example, one student stated that they used Paramax, so for results purposes paracetamol was used. The distribution of students who read the patient leaflet before taking the analgesic.

Bar chart to demonstrate when students would consult the doctor if the symptoms persist while taking analgesics. Students were asked an open question as to when they would consult the doctor if symptoms persist while taking analgesic Table 1. The answers were grouped into categories and it was determined that 14 students would wait 1—2 weeks until they consult a doctor.

The average score of the 50 students for the knowledge-based questions Table 7 was 3. Students who did not take painkillers scored 3. In this investigation, a slight trend in their score is apparent across the years. There was a slight increase in average score with year of degree programme. First year students averaged 3.

The number of students n who selected the correct answers from the seven knowledge-based questions. In this investigation of 50 Aston University students, all most half of which do not use analgesics, demonstrated some basic knowledge and awareness of analgesics. However, they lacked knowledge of risks, contraindications and type of analgesic contained in popular brands. The students may have felt slightly intimidated as they were being recorded and watched by the interviewer.

This may have pressurized the student to respond quickly, so legitimate data may not have been provided. Nevertheless, paracetamol is a widely distributed analgesic across the UK, with approximately brands available 19 so the finding that paracetamol was the most popular does not seem unreasonable.

Selection of analgesic by students was little influenced by branding and seemed to be based simply on what was to hand. Selection on these terms can be dangerous, as students might choose the wrong type of analgesic for the pain they are experiencing.

This might lead to unnecessarily prolonged use with the potential for side effects, especially since most students would wait up to 2 weeks to seek help from a doctor Fig. An important and reassuring finding of this study was that none of the 50 students sampled was a chronic user on analgesics. Students might have felt reluctant to admit to taking a high dose of analgesic regularly, but one student addmited they were not suffering from a chronic disease and consumed more that three tablets in one dose Table 5.

This was the only incidence of overdosing recorded. Students may have been reluctant to say they did not read the leaflet to avoid embarassment or to please the inerviewer.

Neverthless, just under half admitted to not read the leaflet. Despite this, students showed some basic knowledge of analgesic consumption as The 50 students demonstrated a low average score of 3.

Though they may not be aware of the risks, contraindications and type of analgesic contained in popular brands, they do exhibit some basic analgesic knowledge. A bar chart to show the number of students and their habits with what substances they take with their analgesic tablet.

Students were asked what they take their tablet with. They had a selection of nine options to choose from. Only one choice must be made per student Table 1. Water was most popular. Students who did not take analgesics scored slightly higher in the knowledge-based questions than students who did take analgesics. This is a concern as students who take analgesics should be more aware of the types, risks and effects of analgesics.

Surprisingly, a science-based degree did not significantly increase scores in the knowledge test. Like most studies such as Hargreave et al. However, only six students A bar chart to show what students take their analgesic tablet for.

Students were offered a series of choices which they could select that best describes what they use analgesics for. Students were only allowed to choose one option Table 1. Headaches were the most popular. A sample of 50 students was taken from the target population, Aston University. Though a larger sample would produce more accurate data, it was prevented due to the time limit of this investigation. This procedure aimed to produce a reasonably random sample of the target population.

Other sampling methods, such as systematic sampling where the total population is assigned a number, such as student number, and a member is taken at regular intervals would have produced a truly random and representative sample.

However, this approach would have been very difficult to achieve because students chosen to be interviewed might have had prior engagements or might not have responded. The methodology may have affected the results as students may have felt intimidated with the interview being recorded and being face-to-face with the interviewer. They may have felt pressurized to provide answers to please the interviewer, or they may have been embarrassed to share some information.

However, the interview technique did allow any questions the students had to be answered by the interviewer. This ensured that the student fully understood what was being asked of them so they could provide accurate and honest data. Here are some of the more common side effects and what to do if you experience them. Constipation Solution: Drink more liquids except alcohol or sugary drinks throughout the day and eat plenty of foods high in fiber such as oatmeal, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Drowsiness Solution: Drowsiness is worst the first 72 hours of beginning an opioid, so avoid driving or doing anything that requires close attention until you know how your body reacts. If drowsiness persists, speak with your doctor about lowering the dose or investigating other causes of your drowsiness. Nausea Solution: Like drowsiness, nausea usually subsides within 72 hours of a new prescription. In the meantime, avoid spicy foods and strong odors, sip cold water and lie down with a cool towel on your head and neck.

If nausea persists more than a few days, ask your doctor about a medication to treat nausea. Skin Itching Solution: Apply cool compresses or moisturizers to itchy skin. Ask your doctor about using an antihistamine.

Dry Mouth Solution: Sip on water and other fluids except alcohol or sugary drinks throughout the day to keep your mouth moist and suck on sugar-free candies to promote saliva flow. Avoid mouth washes containing alcohol. Ask your doctor if you need to lower your medication dosage or use an artificial saliva substitute.

Always read product labels to ensure you are not taking more than the daily limit if you use other OTC medicines. Your doctor will need to slowly taper the dose to help you avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Taking more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen can lead to liver damage and death. Taking opioid analgesics at higher doses than your doctor prescribes or combining them with other drugs — including alcohol — that affect the central nervous system can potentially lead to fatal overdoses.

Your doctor may order regular urine tests to check for treatment compliance. Medications View All Articles. Stay in the Know. Live in the Yes. I Want to Contribute. Donate Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.

Volunteer Join us and become a Champion of Yes. If you suspect an overdose of an analgesic, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medicines, especially analgesics that contain acetaminophen.

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, might become pregnant, or are breastfeeding a baby before taking an analgesic. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics.

Health Tools. Reviewed: November 25, Medically Reviewed.