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Adjuvant analgesics

  1. Are drugs initially developed for an indication other than pain, but with analgesic properties in some painful conditions.
    They can be classified as:
    - multipurpose nonspecific ( antidepressants, a2-adrenergic agonists, corticosteroids)
    - specific for neuropathic pain (anticonvulsivants, local anesthetics, NMDA antagonists)
    - specific for bone pain (corticosteroids, calcitonin, bisphosphonates, radio pharmaceuticals)
    - specific for pain from bowel obstruction (octrotide, scopolamine, glycopyrrolate)

    Reference: Lussier D, Portenoy RK. Textbook of Palliative Medicine. London. Hodder Arnold. 2006. 402-414.


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