Pain as a drug target

Question 1

Define nociception

Answer 1

perception of a noxious stimuli

Question 2

define pain

Answer 2

unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with tissue damage

Question 3

define chronic pain

Answer 3

> 3 months of pain despite appropriate treatment, with emotional, environmental and social factors

Question 4

What are the 4 steps of the pain pathway

Answer 4

1. transduction
2. transmission
3. modulation
4. perception

Question 5

What does SOCRATES stand for when assessing pain

Answer 5

Site
Onset
Character
Radiation
Alleviating factors
Timing
Exacerbating factors
Severity

Question 6

Name 4 drug classes used to treat pain

Answer 6

• paracetamol
• opioids (mu receptors)
• NSAIDs (COX inhibitor)
• neuropathic agents