What are opioid combo analgesics and how do they work?
Opioid组合镇痛s aresystemicmedications prescribed for management ofacuteand moderate to severepain. Opioid medications are combined with pain relievers (analgesics) such asacetaminophen,aspirin,caffeineand/orbarbiturates. Opioid combos are typically used to manage severe pain when alternative treatments are inadequate.
Opioids block transmission of pain perceptioninthebrainby binding toopiatereceptors. Opiate receptors areproteinmolecules onnerve cell(neuron) membranes in the brain. Modulatingsensoryperception is one of the functions of opiate receptors.
Analgesics such as aspirin and acetaminophen work on thehypothalamusregion of the brain to reducefeverand relieve pain. Caffeine constrictscerebralbloodvessels, which can relieve pain. Caffeine also stimulates the brain’srespiratorydrive, improvingoxygeninflow.Musclerelaxers may be added to drug formulations to treat musculoskeletal pain.
Barbiturates are sedatives that relieve pain by suppressing thecentral nervous systemand slowing down activity in many regions of the brain. Opioids and barbiturates must be used with great caution because they have a high risk foraddiction.
How are opioid combo analgesics used?
Opioid combo analgesics areoraltablets, capsules or solutions usually prescribed for short periods to manage acute, moderate to severe pain. Opioid suppositories may be used to treat pain from ureteral spasms that does not respond to nonopioid analgesics.
Opioid combos should be used with caution in patients withkidneyorliverimpairment. Opioid combos are typically tapered before weaning off and not abruptly discontinued. Opioid overdose can have severe consequences, andnaloxone, amedicationused to reverse opioid effects, is used in case of opioid overdose.
Opioid combo analgesics are used in the management of:
- Acute severe pain
- Acute short-term pain
- Moderate to severe pain
- Chronic pain
- Intermittent or breakthrough pain
- Ureteralspasmpain
- Tensionheadaches
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Cough(off-label)
What are the side effects of opioid combo analgesics?
Side effects of opioid combo analgesics may include the following:
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Peptic ulcer
- Fatalhepaticnecrosis(livertissuedeath, rare and associated with high/chronicacetaminophen use)
- Renaltubular necrosis (kidney tissue death)
- Mood effects such as:
- Agitation
- 烦躁不安(不安)
- Depression
- Depersonalization
- Euphoria(feeling of high)
- Mood swings (emotionallability)
- Restlessness
- Skinreactions such as:
- Hypersensitivity reactions such as:
- Angioedema(swelling in the tissue under the skin ormucousmembranes)
- Laryngealedema(swelling oflarynx)
- Tongueedema
- Anaphylaxis(seriousallergic reaction)
- Insomnia
- Nightmares (paroniria)
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Tremor
- Tinnitus(ringing in theear)
- Headacheormigraine
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Weakness (asthenia)
- Malaise
- Chills(rigors)
- Cognitiveeffects such as:
- Mental clouding
- Sedation
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Biliarytract spasm
- Hallucinations
- False feeling of well being
- Circulatorycollapse
- Histaminerelease
- Urinary tractspasm
- Lowheart rate(bradycardia)
- Cardiacarrest
- Decreased urination (oliguria)
- Shortness of breath(dyspnea)
- Hypotension(low blood pressure)
- Stupor
- Coma
- Respiratory depression
- Physical and psychological dependence with prolonged use
- Drug abuse
- Withdrawalsyndrome
- Abdominaldistentionand pain
- Flatulence
- Syncope(fainting)
- Hotflush
- Chestdiscomfort
- Inflammationofnasal passage(rhinitis)
- Eyeitching
- Loss ofsensation(hypoesthesia)
- Diarrhea
- Gastroesophageal refluxdisease(GERD)
- Vomiting blood (hematemesis)
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Androgeninsufficiency
- Serotoninsyndrome, when opioids are administered with serotonergic drugs
- Dry mouth(xerostomia)
- Blurred vision
- Urinaryretention
- Flushing
- Rapidheartrate (tachycardia)
- Palpitations
- ParadoxicalCNSstimulation
- Anorexia(loss of appetite)
- Ureteral spasm
- Abnormalliver function
- Hepatotoxicity (toxicityto the liver)
- Intoxicated feeling
- Heartburn
- Dyspepsia(indigestion)
- Reduced blood cell counts causing conditions such as:
- Leukopenia(low level ofleukocytes, a type ofimmunecell)
- Agranulocytosis(lowgranulocytes, immune cells with granules)
- Hemolytic anemia(anemiafrom rapid destruction ofred cells)
- Pancytopenia(decrease in all types of blood cells)
- Neutropenia(low levels ofneutrophil, a type of immune cell)
- Thrombocytopenia(decrease inplatelet count)
- Thrombocytopenicpurpura(easy bruising and bleeding due to thrombocytopenia)
- Increased urination (with caffeine)
- Orthostatic hypotension(lowblood pressurewhen standing up from sitting or lying down)
- Diaphoresis (sweating)
- Abnormal thinking
- Abnormal vision
- Aggravatedhypertension
- Aggravated migraine
- Albuminuria(excessivealbumin水平urine)
- Loss ofmemory(amnesia)
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Loss of coordination (ataxia)
- Chest pain
- Convulsions
- Dysphagia(swallowing difficulties)
- Increased muscle tone (hypertonia)
- Involuntarymuscle contractions
- Impotence
- Black, tarry stools (melena)
- Urinary retention orincontinence(micturitiondisorders)
- Prickling sensation (paresthesia)
- Vertigo
- Weight decrease
- Gastrointestinalbleeding
Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with yourdoctoror药剂师to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
What are names of some opioid combo analgesic drugs?
Genericand brand names of opioid comboanalgesicdrugs include:
- acetaminophen/caffeine/dihydrocodeine
- Anexsia
- Apadaz
- B and O Suppositories
- belladonna and opium
- benzhydrocodone/acetaminophen
- butalbital/aspirin/caffeine/codeine
- codeine/acetaminophen
- codeine/acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine
- codeine/aspirin/carisoprodol
- Fioricet with Codeine
- Fiorinal with Codeine
- hydrocodone/acetaminophen
- Norco
- oxycodone/acetaminophen
- pentazocine/naloxone
- Percocet
- tramadol/acetaminophen
- Trezix
- Tylenol#3
- Tylenol #4
- Tylenol with Codeine
- Ultracet
