Article:
Coanalgesics for Chronic Pain Therapy: A Narrative Review
– Source: Postgraduate Medicine, Nov 2011
By Matthew J Bair, Tamara R Sanderson
[Note: To read the full text of this article free, click HERE. It is a clear, comprehensive guide to medication options and use that “may enhance the effects of opioid analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), have independent analgesic activity in certain painful conditions, or counteract the adverse effects of some analgesics.”]
Abstract:
Chronic pain is inadequately treated in many patients, which has led clinicians and researchers to investigate new indications for existing medications with pain-relieving or adjuvant properties.
These medications are known as coanalgesics.
This review provides an evidence-based overview of select coanalgesics that are used in clinical practice for a variety of neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain disorders.
The coanalgesics include:
• Antidepressants,
• Anticonvulsants,
• Topical agents,
• Skeletal muscle relaxants,
• And antispasmodic agents.
An update on emergent treatments and uses is also presented.
The goals of this article are to:
• Highlight coanalgesic treatment options that are currently available for patients with chronic pain
• As well as provide guidelines for their use in clinical practice.
Source: Postgraduate Medicine, Nov 2011; 123(6). Bair MJ, Sanderson TR. DOI: 10.3810/pgm.2011.11.2504, by Roudebush VA Center of Excellence on Implementing Evidence-Based Practice; Indiana University School of Medicine; Reiganstrief Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. [Email: mbair@iupui.edu]
