Dependence narcotic analgesics

The major use of the narcotic analgesic is to relieve or manage moderate to severe acute and chronic pain. The ability of a narcotic analgesic to relieve pain depends on several factors, such as the drug, the dose, the route of administration, the type of pain, the patient, and the length of time the drug has been administered. Morphine is the most widely used opioid and an effective drug for... 

If the patient lias an order for a PRN narcotic analgesic or odier CNS depressant and a hypnotic, die nurse should consult die primary healdi care provider regarding die time interval between administration of tiiese drugp. Usually at least 2 hours should elapse between administration of a hypnotic and any odier CNS depressant, but this interval may vary, depending on factors such as die patient s age and diagnosis. 

Methadone (Dolophine). For over 30 years, methadone has been the mainstay of treatment for opiate dependence. A replacement therapy, methadone has been used both for detoxification and for long-term maintenance. It has a slower onset of action and is longer acting than other narcotic analgesics. It causes little of the euphoria produced by drugs such as heroin. 

Hydromorphone is highly addictive. Its use needs to be carefully monitored by the treating physician. Longterm use of the drug can lead to physical and psychological dependency. Mood can also be affected by hydromorphone and other narcotic analgesics. Infrequently, hallucinations and disorientation can develop. Insomnia develops in a minority of cases. 

Some compounds that affect respiratory rate. Acetaminophen is one of the simple analgesics, which in therapeutic doses relieves pain without any effect on an individual s consciousness. Propoxyphene hydrochloride is a narcotic analgesic, a class of substances that can cause biochemical changes in the body leading to chemical dependency. 

Non-narcotic analgesics, unlike the NSAIDs, have little or no anti-inflammatory activity. They have a therapeutic advantage over narcotic analgesics in that they do not cause physical dependence or tolerance. 

Narcotic analgesics or opioid analgesics, typified by morphine, have powerful actions on the CNS, and act to alter the perception of pain. Because of the numerous possible side-effects, crucially dependence (habituation, addiction ), this class is usually used under strict medical supervision and are only available on prescription or OTC in very low doses. 

Non-narcotic analgesics (NSAlDs), typified by aspirin, which have no tendency to produce dependence, but are by... 

Narcotic agonist-antagonists are less potent and have a lower dependency potential than opioids. Withdrawal symptoms from narcotic agonist-antagonists are not as severe as with narcotic agonists (narcotic analgesics). 

Tolerance, Dependence, and Addiction Liability. Patients treated with long-term opioid therapy often develop tolerance and usually become physically dependent on narcotic analgesics as well. Tolerance results when exposure to a drug results in its decreased effectiveness with time and larger doses are required to achieve the same response (26). Physical dependence is also an adaptive state that is characterized by a specific constellation of withdrawal symptoms that occur upon abrupt cessation or significant reduction in the dose of the opioid or administration of an opioid antagonist (26). Addiction, however, is distinct from physical dependence, and "the term addiction should never be used when physical dependence is meant" (22). The... 

The treatment of respiratory acidosis is dependent on the chronicity of the patient s condition. Respiratory decompensation in patients with chronic elevations in PaC02 are frequently seen in those with acute infections and those recently started on narcotic analgesics or oxygen therapy. Aggressive treatment of these conditions can offer considerable benefit and should be initiated. Furthermore, tranquilizers and sedatives should be avoided and supplemental oxygen, if used, should be minimized. 

The nonnarcotic analgesics are a group of dni used to relieve pain witliout the possibility of causing physical dependency, which can occur witli the use of the narcotic analgesics. The nonnarcotic analgesics can be divided into the salicylates, nonsalicylates (acetaminophen), and tlie nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory dru (NSAIDs). There are a number of combination nonnarcotic analgesics tliat are available over the counter and by prescription. The NSAIDs have emerged as important dru in the treatment of the... 

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