Review article

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Analgesics

Suzana Mimica Matanović

Abstract

Non-opioid and opioid agents are the two main categories of analgesics. Non-opioid agents include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which further include salicylates and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and other non-opioid agents, e.g. acetaminophen and metamizole. Opioid agents include strong agonists, mild to moderate agonists, opioids with mixed receptor actions and miscellaneous opiods (e.g. tramadol). Other drug classes that are used as ”secondary“ analgesics are also included in this review, e.g. certain antidepressants and anticonvulsive agents. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties that are common to all NSAIDs are described, as well as specific characteristics of individual NSAIDs, including new data on their cardiovascular risk. In the section describing opiod agents, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties that are common to all opioids are presented, as well as specific characteristics of individual agents, including transdermal drug delivery systems. When making a decision on which analgesic to use, it is essential not just to assess a type of pain, but equally important, to consider all the factors that could modify a patient’s response, e.g. renal of hepatic impairment, age, chronic diseases, gene polymorphism affecting drug metabolism, drug-drug interactions, etc. The knowledge about analgesics pharmacology is essential for balancing the risks and benefits of their use.

Keywords

pharmacodynamics; pharmacokinetics; analgesic; opioid agents; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Hrčak ID:

122391

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/122391

Publication date:

22.5.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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