American journal of hospital pharmacy
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Review Comparative Study
Effect of analgesic treatment on the physiological consequences of acute pain.
Physiological responses to acute pain are described, and the effects of different analgesic techniques on these responses are discussed. The body's response to acute pain can cause adverse physiological effects. Pain can impede the return of normal pulmonary function, modify certain aspects of the stress response to injury, and alter hemodynamic values and cardiovascular function. ⋯ Adequate analgesia through the use of local anesthetics and narcotics postoperatively generally results in improved cardiovascular function, decreased pulmonary morbidity and mortality, earlier ambulation, and decreased likelihood of deep vein thrombosis. Some data suggest that improved patient outcome occurs with adequate analgesia. Block of afferent and efferent neural pathways by local anesthetics seems to be the most effective analgesic modality in lessening the physiologic response to pain and injury.
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Available clinical data on the use of oral ondansetron for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy or surgery are reviewed. Injectable ondansetron hydrochloride is very effective in preventing nausea and vomiting associated with even the most emetogenic antineoplastic drugs. In December 1992, 4- and 8-mg oral tablets (ondansetron hydrochloride dihydrate) became available. ⋯ Oral ondansetron is more effective than placebo in preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting in gynecologic surgery patients; however, there have been no comparative studies, and routine use of antiemetics in most surgical patients may be unnecessary because newer anesthetics are less emetogenic. Although the adverse effects of oral ondansetron are milder than those of standard antiemetics, this may not compensate for the drug's high cost. Oral ondansetron is not superior to traditional antiemetics for the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or surgery.
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The process of nociception, the anatomy of the epidural space, and the placement of the epidural catheter are reviewed, and the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, analgesic efficacy, and potential adverse effects of epidurally administered narcotics and local anesthetics are discussed, as well as patient monitoring standards and solution preparation guidelines for these agents. The epidural space is located between the dura mater (the outer-most membrane surrounding the spinal cord) and the vertebral canal. The site of catheter placement is determined by the dermatomes corresponding to the site of desired analgesia. ⋯ The most bothersome adverse effect encountered with analgesic doses of local anesthetics is paresthesia. Solutions for epidural administration must be sterile and preservative free. Epidural administration of narcotics and local anesthetics seems to provide better pain relief than conventional methods but may be associated with more bothersome adverse effects.