Chr. Tesseromatis, A. Kotsiou
DESCRIPTION:
Pain, defined as an unpleasant experience, is associated with established or potential tissue damage. Pulp is a direct portal of nociceptive stimuli of mechanical, chemical, and microbial etiology. Phospholipids, kinins, histamine and serotonin activate nociceptive stimuli released by necrosis/cell death, causing depolarization receptor-injury pain and transported, via Αδ-and C-fiber of trigeminal nerve, to the CNS. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, indomethacin) are indicated for the treatment of pain of inflammatory etiology pain, acting by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis both in periphery and CNS. Pain must be treated step by step. In step 1 paracetamol is effective. In steps 2 and 3, along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, adjuvant analgesics (tricyclic antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, local anesthetics), even in neuropathic pain, may be administered. Local anesthetics blocking Na+ channels stabilize the cell membrane and action potential. Antidepressants enhance the descending inhibitory pathway of pain by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin/noradrenaline. The anticonvulsants inhibit the action potential of cells by blocking Na+ channels. The capsaicin (locally) is indicated for neuropathic pain (shingles). Small doses of ketamine (for third molar extraction) in combination with local anesthetics exert satisfactory analgesic effect. Antihistamine mouth washes have local anesthetic activity. Clonidine administered via transdermal, systemic or spinal route can enhance opioids effect.
INFORMATION:
Periodicity: Iatriki 2013, 102(2):122—135
Origin Center: Department of Pharmacology, “Aretaieio” Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Keywords: Pain, NSAIDs, opioids, ketamine
Corresponding Author: Chr. Tesseromatis, Department of Pharmacology, “Aretaieio” Hospital,, 75 M. Asias street, GR-115 27 Goudi, Athens, Greece • e-mail: ctesser@med.uoa.gr, pharmacy@aretaieio.uoa.gr