Pharmacologic Substance
analgesic
an·al·ge·sic [ an-l-jee-zik, -sik ]
Subclass of:
Central Nervous System Agents;
Sensory System Agents
Definitions related to analgesics:
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Compounds capable of relieving pain without the loss of consciousness or without producing anesthesia.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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Drugs that reduce pain. These drugs include aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(painkillers) Drugs that relieve pain.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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(pain relievers) Pain relievers are medicines that reduce or relieve headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, or other aches and pains. There are many different pain medicines, and each one has advantages and risks. Some types of pain respond better to certain medicines than others. Each person may also have a slightly different response to a pain reliever. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are good for many types of pain. There are two main types of OTC pain medicines: acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are examples of OTC NSAIDs. If OTC medicines don't relieve your pain, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Many NSAIDs are also available at higher prescription doses. The most powerful pain relievers are opioids. They are very effective, but they can sometimes have serious side effects. There is also a risk of opioids. Because of the risks, you must use them only under a doctor's supervision. There are many things you can do to help ease pain. Pain relievers are just one part of a pain treatment plan.MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(analgesic agent) Compounds that alleviate pain without loss of consciousness. Analgesics act by various mechanisms including binding with opioid receptors and decreasing inflammation. Choice of analgesic may be determined by the type of pain. These compounds include opioid, non-opioid and adjuvant analgesic agents.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(analgesic preparation) Natural or synthetic compound mixtures, Analgesic Preparations relieve pain by altering the perception of nociceptive stimuli without loss of consciousness. Analgesic compounds may act at opioid receptors (morphine-like drugs) or at other central or peripheral sites (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents). (NCI04)NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Analgesic, any drug that relieves pain selectively without blocking the conduction of nerve impulses, markedly altering sensory perception, or affecting consciousness. This selectivity is an important distinction between an analgesic and an anesthetic. Analgesics may be classified into two types...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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