Pain & analgesics Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the 2 main types of pain?
Nociceptive pain
Neuropathic pain
Which 2 types of pain make up nociceptive pain?
Somatic pain
Visceral pain
Nociceptive pain is sensed by which 2 types of nerve fibres?
A-delta fibres
C fibres
Which 2 hormones can inhibit pain signals?
Noradrenaline
Serotonin
What are the 4 main drug classes used to treat nociceptive pain?
Paracetamol
NSAIDs
weak opioids
strong opioids
What are the 2 main drug classes used to treat neuropathic pain?
Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline)
Antiepileptic drugs (pregabalin)
Which theory of pain proposes that spinal nerves act as gates to let pain travel through to reach the brain, or close the gates and prevent pain messages from getting through?
Gate control theory of pain
What are the 4 key points in the MOA of opioids?
Inhibit the opening of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels + Ca2+ influx
Inhibit release of Ca2+ from neuronal intracellular stores
Stimulate K+ outflow
Promote hyperpolarisation of neurons – reducing activity
Which medication is a synthetic opioid?
Tramadol
Chronic pain continues for over how many months?
3 months
Which nociceptive pain fibres are ‘‘ouch” fibres?
A-delta fibres
Which nociceptive pain fibres are “groan” fibres?
C fibres
What is the MOA of tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline)?
Noradrenaline / serotonin reuptake inhibitor
What is the MOA of anti-epileptics (pregabalin)?
Inhibition of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels
