Cancer Pain Management-Nonopoid Analgesics

Article information

J Korean Med Assoc. 2010;53(2):164-168

Publication date (electronic) : 2010 February 28

doi : https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2010.53.2.164

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Korea. anedhkim@hanmail.net

Abstract

Cancer pain patients have various diagnosis, stage of disease, response to pain, and treatments and individualized treatment methods are thus needed. Use of Nonopioid analgesics is the first step treatment (according to WHO ladder) for mild to moderate pain, and may be useful for second or third step treatments when combined with weak or strong opioids to reduce side effects of opioids and to create synergy between the two drugs. Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) are also nonopioid analgesics. NSAIDs have a ceiling effect, along with antipyretic, analgesic and antiinflammatory effects, while not producing physical and psychological dependence. Adverse effects of NSAIDs include gastrointestinal hemorrhage, coagulopathy, and deterioration of renal function.

Keywords: Acetaminophen; Cancer pain; Nonopioid analgesics; Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); Opioids

References

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Article information Continued

Table 1

Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Table 2

Side Effects of NSAIDs

CNS: central nerve system, COX- 2: cyclooxygenase-2, NSAIDs: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs