Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy Targeted radiation has become a valuable tool in treating both cancer and the pain caused by cancer. Roughly 50% of all cancer patients will receive radiotherapy at some…
Patient-controlled Analgesia
Patient-controlled Analgesia Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was first used in 1971. PCA is a way of delivering pain medication via a programmable (IV) infusion device (Fig. 16-1). The PCA machine which…
Antiseizure Medications Used for Neuropathic Pain
Antiseizure Medications Used for Neuropathic Pain Neuropathic pain is a painful sensation from damaged nerves rather than damaged tissue (Fig. 14-1). A stimulus with sufficient strength triggers the start of…
Antidepressant Medications Used for Neuropathic Pain
Antidepressant Medications Used for Neuropathic Pain Pain is transmitted through the nervous system. There are two main types of pain. Nociceptive pain and Neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain is the natural…
Muscle Relaxants
Muscle Relaxants Muscle relaxants are broadly classified into two categories: Those that act peripherally at the muscle itself and those that act in the central nervous system (CNS). Muscle relaxants…
Topical Pain Medications
Topical Pain Medications Local anesthetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the neurolytic substance capsaicin are three commonly used topical pain medications. These topical medications provide localized relief, targeting tissue on…
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Acetaminophen is commonly known as Tylenol in the United States and as Paracetamol in Europe. It is used to treat a variety of painful conditions. Its method of…
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work by blocking inflammation at the site of pathology and by altering pain perception in the central nervous system (CNS). Peripherally, cyclooxygenase is…
