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Noninvasive pharmacologic pain management
Pain relievers and related drugs are used at every stage of the medical treatment of neuromusculoskeletal and in particular spine, large joint and extremity pain back pain, from the initial onset of acute pain to facilitation of rehabilitation, treatment of chronic pain and alleviation of pain in cases of failed surgery. The most common noninvasive pharmacologic treatments for neuromusculoskelatal pain are:
Analgesics—includes acetaminophen. Long-term use involves risk of renal damage.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs)—includes aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and the new COX-2 inhibitors.
Muscle relaxants—used to treat muscle spasms due to pain and protective mechanisms.
Narcotic medications—most appropriate for acute or post-operative pain. Since use of narcotics entails risk of habituation or addiction if not properly supervised, they are not often used for chronic conditions.
Antidepressants and anticonvulsants—used to treat neuropathic (“nerve”) pain or as an adjunct to analgesics and narcotics to mitigate overdependence on pain-killers; In the recent past, this group of medications has expanded to include some very effective compounds ( e.g. gabapentine, SSRIs, etc.)
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Current as of
February 6, 2012
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