Analgesics and Antipyretics Quiz

Analgesics and Antipyretics Summary

• NSAIDs are preferred in minor musculoskeletal trauma, soft tissue inflammation, superficial surgical intervention, minor gynecological procedures, acute pain of mild to moderate severity, ureteral colic, and dysmenorrhea.
• There are two types of pain mediators: algesic mediators and hyperalgesic pain mediators, which increase the sensitivity of nerve endings to algesic agents.
• The analgesic effect of NSAIDs is largely due to their peripheral effects, reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins and preventing pain through anti-inflammatory action.
• COX enzyme types include COX-1, which has a protective function, COX-2, responsible for pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, and COX-3 present in the central nervous system.
• Prerequisites for the use of analgesics include understanding the drug's mechanism of action, side effects, drug interactions, and detailed knowledge of doses.
• The purpose of pain treatment is to produce the strongest analgesic effect with the fewest side effects, optimal dose, and easiest application.
• An ideal analgesic should be effective when used orally, have a sufficient analgesic effect, not be tolerant or addictive, have a specific effect in the central nervous system, and have an antidote.
• Antipyretics reduce fever due to infection and inflammation by reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins and increasing heat loss by vasodilation.
• Situations in which fever needs to be reduced include elderly people with coronary insufficiency, pregnant women, young children with convulsions, and hyperthermia.
• Medicines that can cause fever include phenothiazine, anticholinergic drugs, and cocaine use, while malignant hyperthermia is characterized by hypermetabolism and muscle rigidity.
• The mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action of NSAIDs include cyclooxygenase inhibition, reduction in the synthesis of cytokines and active oxygen radicals, and stabilization of lysosome membrane.
• Physicochemical properties that increase anti-inflammatory activity include weak acidity of both analgesics and their metabolites.

Summary of Analgesic Drug Groups

• Profens (phenylpropionic acid derivatives) are a commonly used analgesic drug group after aspirin and paracetamol.
• Ibuprofen is the most used drug in the profens group, with antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Naproxen, with the longest duration of action, is used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and mild to moderate pain.
• Ketoprofen inhibits cyclooxygenase and has analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects, similar to indomethacin.
• Flurbiprofen, a profen drug, may cause rigidity, ataxia, tremor, and myoclonus as rare side effects.
• Tiaprofenic acid is used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and soft tissue inflammation, but can cause cystitis.
• Diclofenac sodium is administered via the intramuscular route and has been found effective against rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• Indomethacin is used for its anti-inflammatory effect and in conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Ketorolac tromethamine is now prohibited due to causing GI bleeding, acute kidney failure, and anaphylactic shock.
• Sulindac, a prodrug, converts to a sulfur derivative in the liver and has little interaction with antihypertensive drugs.
• Etodolac is selective for COX-2 at low doses and causes fewer upper GI adverse events in clinical trials.
• Oxicams and others like piroxicam, tenoxicam, and meloxicam are long-acting analgesics with specific uses and characteristics.

Test your knowledge of analgesics and antipyretics with this summary quiz. Explore the mechanisms of action, drug groups, and specific uses of various analgesic medications, including NSAIDs and profens. Assess your understanding of pain treatment and fever reduction, as well as the physiological and chemical properties that influence anti-inflammatory activity.