Analgesic: In what cases in what cases use this painlier?

Definition: What is an analgesic?

The analgesic action is defined by any process having as a principle of activity the reduction of pain.It may not only be a drug, but also all other methods aimed at obtaining analgesia, that is to say the abolition of the feeling of pain.The analgesics are different from the pain relievers which aim to eliminate pain.

The bearings

For analgesic drugs strictly speaking, their use is carried out according to three prescription levels according to the intensity of the pain:

Analgesic level 1

Peripheral analgesics for light to medium pain: non-opioid analgesics dominated by paracetamol and aspirin-ibuprofen, an non-steroid anti-inflammatory system is included in this class.

Analgesic level 2

The low central analgesics for intense medium pain: opiate analgesics such as codeine or tramadol.

Analgesic level 3

The central analgesics strong for very intense or even rebellious pain: opioid analgesics of which morphine is part.

Prescription

The analgesics of landing 1 are very easily found in over -the -counter pharmacy (without prescription).But they can also be prescribed by your attending physician, who after consultation, will advise you that which is best suited to your case (and your pain).

The analgesics of bearings 2 and 3 require a prescription and can only be prescribed on medical advice.

All analgesics are reimbursed by health insurance when prescribed by a doctor.

Indications

Administration mode

Analgesic drugs can be administered orally, by rectal route, by local application or by injection depending on the type and intensity of pain.

Side effects and contraindications

If it is possible to take a level 1 analgesic without medical advice (self-medication), side effects may however occur.The most frequent are gastric (especially with aspirin), but other disorders can occur in case of overdose (such as liver damage in the event of overdose in paracetamol).In this case, you must inform your doctor or pharmacist.

In case of pregnancy, but also if you suffer from gastric disorders or history or chronic diseases such as asthma, it is strongly recommended to consult before taking a cachet."In children, the fundamental element is the cause of the pain and the expression of the latter which may not be verbalized," adds Professor Hervé Lévesque.

Station to self -medication

In addition, the use of self -medication can be problematic if no diagnosis has been made.When the pain is violent, unexpected and occurs suddenly, it is better to consult his attending physician who will assess the pain to prescribe the suitable analgesic.Likewise when it comes to recurrent pain without apparent cause or when pain is accompanied by other signs such as general discomfort, high fever, unusual edema of the painful area, a decrease in force ina member, etc.

Precautions to be taken with analgesics

Whether in self -medication or in the context of a treatment prescribed by a doctor, it is recommended to read the medication instructions to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice in case of doubt;

Thank you to Professor Hervé Lévesque, specialist in internal medicine and member of the French National Society of Internal Medicine (SNFMI).