Opioid analgesics dosage

IR tablets - For the management of moderate to severe pain in patients who require treatment with an oral opioid analgesic. Individually adjust the dose according to severity of pain, patient response, and patient size. If the pain increases in severity, analgesia is not adequate, or tolerance occurs, a gradual increase in dosage may be required. 

Codeine and dihydocodeine are opioid analgesics that act directly on opiate receptors in the brain, producing analgesia, respiratory depression, euphoria and sedation. They are weak narcotic analgesics, useful for the treatment of mild to moderate pain. Their major side-effect at non-prescription dosages is constipation. 

Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol in other countries, is available widely without prescription as an analgesic and antipyretic. It is available in various oral dosage forms, including an extended-release preparation. Acetaminophen may be combined with other drugs, such as antihistamines or opioid analgesics, and marketed in cough and cold preparations, menstrual remedies, and allergy products. 

When the oral route is unavailable opioids may be administered by continuous infusion (pump) and when appropriate under control by the patient - advantage constant therapeutic plasma level disadvantage indwelling catheter. When constipation becomes intolerable morphin can be applied near the spinal cord permitting strong analgesic effect at much lower total dosage. 

The MS Contin 200 mg tablet is for use only in opioid-tolerant patients requiring daily morphine-equivalent dosages of 400 mg or more. Reserve this strength for patients who have already been titrated to a stable analgesic regimen using lower... 

---