What are analgesics?

Introduction to Analgesics

Analgesics are some of the most commonly used medicines — chances are, you’ve taken one many times in your life. Whether it’s a headache, toothache, or body pain, these drugs help provide relief. In this article, we’ll understand what analgesics are, why we use them, and when doctors prescribe them. In the next articles, we’ll also dive into how they work inside the body

In simple terms, analgesics are drugs that relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness.

They work either by:

• Reducing inflammation, or
• Blocking pain signals in the brain

Because of this, they are commonly known as pain killers

Those who relieve pain with loss of consciousness are

Classification

Analgesics are mainly classified into mainly 3 categories:

• Non-opioid (Non-narcotic) Analgesics
• Opioids
• Adjuvant Analgesics

Now, let’s deep dive into each category to see how it works.

Non-Opioid (Non-narcotic) Analgesics

• Mild to moderate pain.
• Inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, which reduces pain, inflammation, and fever.
• Most of them act at the site of injury (peripheral action)

Examples: Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Diclofenac, Aspirin etc

Usages: Toothache, Headache, Fever

Opioid Analgesics

• Moderate to severe pain.
• Acts on the central nervous system (CNS) by binding to opioid receptors (μ, κ, δ), which alters pain perception.
• Cause dependence & Addiction

Examples: Morphine, Tramadol, Fentanyl, Codeine etc

Usages: Severe pain, Cancer pain, Post-Operative pain

Adjuvant Analgesics

• Not a primarily analgesics .
• but they help relieve pain in certain conditions, especially neuropathic pain.
• Enhance effect of primary analgesics

Examples: Antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Duloxetine), Anticonvulsants (Gabapentin, Pregabalin), Corticosteroids etc

Usages: Nerve pain, Cancer pain, Chronic pain