[Update on the pharmacologic approach to pain].
Acute pain can be managed favourably by the use of paracetamol, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids and local anaesthetics, solely or in combination. Sophisticated methods of administration such as nerve blocks or patient-controlled analgesia will improve results. Chronic pain, on the other hand, presents a more complex situation and the pharmacological approach is only one aspect of bio-psycho-social management programmes. The role of opioids in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain has still not been clarified. Adjuvant drugs are often required.
Brasseur
L
L
Service d'Anesthésiologie, Hôpital Ambroise, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
Desgieux
P
P
Guirimand
F
F
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000208:Acute Disease; D000700:Analgesics / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management
D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen