Medications used to Treat Pain in children

There are four main types of pain medicine:

1. Opioids, such as codeine and morphine
2. Non-opioids, such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs
3. Local and regional anaesthetics, such as lidocaine and EMLA
4. Adjuvant drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants

• Antidepressants: Antidepressants are medication that may treat pain and/or emotional conditions by adjusting levels of neurotransmitters (natural chemicals) within the brain. These medications will increase the supply of the body’s signals for well-being and relaxation, enabling pain control for individuals with chronic pain conditions that don’t fully respond to usual treatments.

• Pain medications Such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), accessible over the counter, and opioids (requires a doctor’s prescription) are usually used to relieve pain in youngsters. Your doctor might suggest over-the-counter or prescription strength anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). acetylsalicylic acid shouldn’t be employed in children below the age of nineteen unless taught by your doctor, because it will cause Reye’s syndrome if used during or after a infectious agent or fever-causing malady. Opioids are narcotic pain medications that contain natural, artificial or semi-synthetic opiates. Opioids are usually used to treat acute pain, like short pain after surgery. Tramadol shouldn’t be used for pain and codeine shouldn’t be used for pain or cough in children below twelve years old. youngsters below 18 years old shouldn’t use tramadol after surgery to get rid of their tonsils or adenoids.
• Epidural analgesia: Epidural analgesia may be performed around major surgeries like abdominal, lower extremity or spinal surgeries for operative pain management. Pain medication is injected into the epidural space of the spinal cord.
• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA): kids who are four to six years old could also be ready to use PCA with the assistance of a parent or nurse. several children WHO are as young as six will independently use the PCA pump.
• Note:While these medications are same as those given to adults for pain, the dosing isn’t a similar for children. The dose of drugs can possible be smaller for kids than for the typical adult, as a result of it is based on the patient’s weight. it’s important to follow the precise dosing prescribed by your child’s doctor.