Clinical pharmacy
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The pathophysiology, assessment, and pharmacologic management of acute pain in infants and children are reviewed, and the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, and dosages of opioid analgesics, nonopioid analgesics, and local anesthetics used for regional blocks are discussed. The pathophysiology of pain and the physiologic rationale for treatment of pain are similar in children and adults. Severe pain can be controlled by i.v. or epidural administration of opioid analgesics. ⋯ Topical application of local anesthetics is effective for many minor procedures. A variety of pain management techniques are available for the management of acute pain in pediatric patients. The development of drugs having fewer adverse effects and noninvasive administration techniques will be important research priorities in the coming years.