Painkillers
Painkillers
Painkillers, also known as analgesics (pronunciation: /ˌænəlˈdʒiːzɪks/), are a class of drugs used to achieve analgesia, relief from pain. The term "painkiller" is derived from the English words "pain" and "kill", indicating its primary function to reduce or eliminate pain.
Types of Painkillers
There are several types of painkillers, each with different mechanisms of action and suitable for different types of pain.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These include drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. They work by reducing inflammation and are often used for pain associated with inflammation, such as arthritis or sprains.
- Paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen): This is a common over-the-counter painkiller used for mild to moderate pain. It is also used to reduce fever.
- Opioids: These are strong painkillers used for severe pain, such as pain after surgery or for chronic conditions like cancer. Examples include morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone.
- COX-2 inhibitors: These are a type of NSAID that specifically target the COX-2 enzyme, which is involved in inflammation. They are often used for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Side Effects
Like all medications, painkillers can have side effects. These can range from mild, such as nausea or dizziness, to severe, such as addiction or overdose. It's important to use painkillers as directed by a healthcare professional to minimize these risks.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Painkillers
- Wikipedia's article - Painkillers
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski