Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, traditional opioids, and tramadol: Contrasting therapies for the treatment of chronic pain

The treatment of chronic pain is an important function of physicians. In the United States, available drug treatments for chronic pain currently include simple analgesics such as acetaminophen, salicylates and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, traditional opioid drugs, and adjuvant agents...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical therapeutics Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 420 - 432
Main Author ARONSON, M. D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Belle Mead, NJ Excerpta Medica 01.05.1997
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Summary:The treatment of chronic pain is an important function of physicians. In the United States, available drug treatments for chronic pain currently include simple analgesics such as acetaminophen, salicylates and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, traditional opioid drugs, and adjuvant agents (eg, antidepressants, anticonvulsants). Typically, the choice of a drug is made by balancing the indications for treatment, the clinical efficacy of the drug, and its toxicity. An understanding of the mechanism of action of these drugs helps to establish their role in therapy. Tramadol is an effective analgesic that works through a combined mechanism of weak mu receptor binding and the inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Tramadol has a favorable adverse-effect profile and therefore is likely to have an important role in the management of chronic pain syndromes.
ISSN:0149-2918
1879-114X
DOI:10.1016/S0149-2918(97)80127-0