Analgesics

Pain is one of the commonest presenting symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and may be one the hardest to treat successfully. The available analgesic options provide different modes of action and their ranks continue to expand with new agents, some with multiple target action. This chapter reviews currently available analgesics (paracetamol and opioids) used for managing musculoskeletal pain and the agents used for neuropathic pain, including their mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and side effects. The role of neuroleptic agents is reviewed, and a brief outline of some newer therapies for the treatment of pain such as tapentadol, and a potential therapy, anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibodies.