analgésica

Analgésica is the feminine form of analgésico in Spanish, referring to a substance that relieves pain without inducing loss of consciousness. The term can describe any drug used for analgesia, or an adjective indicating a pain-relieving property.

Analgesics are commonly categorized as non-opioid, opioid, and adjuvant medicines. Non-opioid analgesics include acetaminophen (paracetamol) and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. Opioid analgesics include morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Adjuvants encompass certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and local anesthetics that aid analgesia, especially for neuropathic pain.

Mechanisms vary: NSAIDs reduce prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting COX enzymes; acetaminophen modulates central pain processing though its exact action is not fully understood; opioids bind to mu receptors to dampen pain signals; adjuvants act on various targets in the nervous system.

Uses and safety: Analgésicas are used to treat mild to moderate pain and, in some cases, more severe pain when combined with other therapies. Common adverse effects include stomach irritation and ulcers (NSAIDs), kidney or liver concerns (NSAIDs and acetaminophen), respiratory depression and dependence (opioids), and sedation with certain adjuvants. Drug interactions and contraindications exist, and dosing should be guided by medical advice, especially in children, pregnant individuals, the elderly, or those with kidney, liver, or heart disease.

Historical note: analgesics have long played a central role in medicine. Aspirin’s origins trace to willow bark; modern NSAIDs emerged in the mid-20th century, acetaminophen in the 1950s, and opioid analgesics have been used since the 19th century, under varying regulatory controls.