title: Analgesic agents. Pharmacology and application in critical care.
abstract: Evaluation of analgesic agents is multifactorial. The authors know of no direct comparisons among the choices in analgesic agents that suggest one therapy over another in global outcomes such as mortality or morbidity. Therefore, until further outcome differentiation between agents is proved, understanding the primary difference of delivery routes, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and adverse effects serves as the best guide for selecting the appropriate agent for each patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Oyen
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000700:Analgesics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008614:Meperidine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D009020:Morphine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine; D008614:Meperidine