Many pain specialists worldwide continue their attempts to discover safer pain relievers than some of the dangerous drugs currently on the market. Their goal is to create alternatives that are just as effective, but much safer without the serious and often deadly side effects of some of the current choices.
Medical experts have recommended the withdrawal of drugs containing COX-2 inhibitors and traditional Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs or NSAIDS. This action has been prompted with a growing number of patient deaths associated with these drugs.
Researchers have endorsed the use of weak opioids which are much safer than NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors. Another advantage is the fact that the drugs are more effective in treating moderate or severe pain than traditional NSAIDs. Other benefits include reversibility, an absence of side effects associated with prostaglandin and titratability. Weak opioids taken with analgesic agents such as tramadol plus paracetamol have proven particularly effective.
International pain specialists praised the fact that tramadol and tramadol combinations were considered “NSAID-sparing.” Medical societies approve the use of tramadol, because the drug can be taken with much lower dosages of NSAIDs. These individuals emphasized the proper use of weak opioids, because side effects are commonly cited as a reason for non-compliance.
This group of specialists recommended that individuals should begin with a lower dose and then increase the dosage gradually. This will enable patients to achieve effective analgesia without suffering many of the unpleasant side effects. They concluded that physicians need to receive proper guidance before prescribing analgesics in today’s uncertain world concerning continued use of COX-2 inhibitors.
A global withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx) which concerns the use of additional COX-2 inhibitors was instituted in 2004. Rofecoxib is a drug in the class of COX-2 exhibitors which is prescribed to treat arthritis symptoms such as tenderness, pain and stiffness. Afterwards, the need for proper guidance to physicians prescribing drugs containing these compositions was emphasized.
COX-2 & NSAIDS
Two Cox enzymes, Cox-1 and Cox-2, produce prostaglandins which cause pain, fever and inflammation. However, the prostaglandins produced by Cox-1 also protect the stomach and support the body’s platelets. NSAIDS reduce the body’s prostaglandins by blocking the Cox enzymes which in turn, reduces pain, fever and inflammation. NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers and excessive bleeding because they also reduce the prostaglandins that support platelets and blood clotting and protect the stomach.
Written: Jan 26, 2008