Common Side Effects Of Analgesics

Analgesic describes medications specially formulated for alleviating pain. Certain analgesics are available for purchase over-the-counter, while many are only available to buy with a prescription. Some analgesic medications blend two drugs in the analgesic class for enhanced relief. An individual has certain receptors on the cells in their spinal cord, brain, and gastrointestinal tract that help relay pain signals throughout the body. Analgesics work by taking advantage of these receptors and binding to them. This mechanism stops pain signals from reaching the brain. Analgesics are used in individuals who have moderate to severe chronic or acute pain. Analgesics are viable for individuals who cannot utilize nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs because they do not produce gastrointestinal bleeding.

Of course, analgesics may produce adverse side effects in some individuals. Get the details on these now.

Upset Stomach

Some individuals who take acetaminophen or opioid-based analgesics may experience an upset stomach and nausea. An upset stomach is the result of the activity of the medication that involves the activation of the chemoreceptor trigger zone and the individual's gastric motility. The dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor zone are critical to the triggering mechanism that causes nausea and stomach upset. A decrease in gastric motility can cause food to back up in an individual's digestive system, allowing it to rot in the digestive organs and cause stomach upset. Some patients experience an increase in the sensitivity of their vestibular system, which manages balance. Increased vestibular sensitivity causes the affected individual to feel nausea and an upset stomach. Nausea and vomiting is a relatively common side effect of analgesics, and more so for those that combine acetaminophen with another medication.

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Dry Mouth

Saliva in the oral cavity serves many different functions, including protecting the teeth from decay and stopping any disease from damaging the gums. Saliva does so by rinsing away corrosive acids, food, and bacteria from the mouth. Opioid-based analgesics have a depressive effect on the individual's nervous system. The part of the nervous system responsible for regulating the activity of an individual's glands is the autonomic nervous system. Opioids reduce the healthy activity of an individual's autonomic system, decreasing the amount of saliva the glands are told to produce. Less saliva in an individual's mouth causes them to experience dry mouth (xerostomia). This side effect may be less apparent in individuals who keep well hydrated, as fluids with a low sugar content can assume some of the functions of saliva.

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