Analgesics are substances that have analgesic or pain-relieving effects. Analgesics are also called painkillers.
What are analgesics?
While so-called peripherally acting analgesics only affect the body periphery, centrally acting analgesics influence structures of the central nervous system. Different analgesics can be subdivided, for example, with regard to their site of action: whereas so-called peripherally acting analgesics have an effect only on the body periphery, centrally acting analgesics exert an influence on structures of the central nervous system. Furthermore, analgesics can be differentiated in terms of their strength of action: In addition to weakly acting analgesics, some of which are available over the counter in pharmacies, there are weakly acting analgesics that act centrally. These agents include, for example, various low-concentration opiates. Strong-acting, centrally acting analgesics include high-concentration opiates. When subdividing into weak-acting and strong-acting analgesics, it should be noted that the strength of the effect is largely determined by the respective dosage in addition to the preparation.
Application and use
In medicine, analgesics are used to combat acute and chronic pain conditions. In terms of their use, so-called nontopioid analgesics can be distinguished from opioid analgesics. Non-opioid analgesics (also referred to as non-narcotic analgesics) are used in the treatment of mild to moderately severe pain, usually by reducing the sensitivity of various pain receptors in the body. Typical complaints treated in this way include toothache, headache (tension and migraine headaches) or menstrual pain. Some non-opioid analgesics are also suitable for combating fever, which can accompany flu-like infections, for example. If higher doses of non-opioid analgesics are used, they can also be used to treat pain caused by rheumatism. Some analgesics in the non-opioid group can also be used to reduce inflammation. Opioid analgesics (also known as narcotic analgesics) are used primarily to combat severe pain. Such analgesics are used, for example, to treat colic pain (cramp-like pain that extends across the abdomen), pain caused by cancer, or pain caused by accidents. Furthermore, opioid analgesics are used during surgical procedures or to relieve pain following such procedures.
Herbal, natural, and pharmaceutical analgesics.
Analgesics exist in various forms; for example, chemical-pharmaceutical preparations are joined by analgesic agents on a natural or plant basis. Depending on their active complex, various herbal analgesics can be used internally (for example, in the form of teas or extracts) or externally (for example, in the form of ointments or poultices). Some herbal analgesics are reported to have a so-called flood phase before full analgesic development, which can take several days. During such a flood phase, the body is supposed to be sensitized to the efficacy. Depending on the individual herbal analgesics, their efficacy is not always scientifically proven. The same applies to analgesics used in homeopathy. According to homeopathy, different homeopathic remedies can act as analgesics depending on the individual and the complaint. These remedies can be taken either through so-called globules (small balls), drops or tablets. In addition to the analgesics mentioned above, so-called placebos (sham medicines that do not contain any active ingredients) have also been scientifically shown to be effective, especially in pain therapy. Through the psyche of many people, placebos can serve as analgesics to the extent that they can positively influence both the subjective perception of pain and pain processing at the level of the central nervous system.
Risks and side effects
Risks associated with the use of analgesics depend, among other things, on the particular group of active ingredients and also on the dose and period of use or application. For example, herbal analgesics may cause intolerance.If some of these analgesics are incorrectly dosed, they can also have a toxic (poisonous) effect on humans. Side effects that can occur with prolonged use of peripherally active chemical analgesics are primarily gastrointestinal problems or damage or ulceration of the gastric mucosa. Possible side effects of opioid analgesics include their addictive potential and potential restriction of respiratory rate. In general, analgesics may also not be suitable in the presence of various diseases or if other drugs are taken in parallel. In the latter case, undesirable interactions may occur, for example.
