Adverse reactions of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs in chronic pain

Abstract

Objective: To know the potential adverse reactions of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs in individuals with chronic pain. Methods: An integrative review was conducted using the descriptors "chronic pain", "side effects and adverse drug reactions", "anti-inflammatory drugs" and "analgesics", accompanied by the Boolean operands AND and OR in the PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases. Results: The studies pointed out that women and the elderly are the most affected by chronic pain, moreover analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs the most used drugs in this condition, and that anti-inflammatory drugs account for numerous adverse reactions, especially those related to the gastrointestinal system and hepatotoxicity. Conclusion: It was evidenced that anti-inflammatory drugs were responsible for the main adverse drug reactions, including hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal injury, especially in the elderly. As short term measures it is suggested the realization of awareness actions of professionals and patients regarding the proper management of pain, the maximum doses and the dangerous use of these drugs without medical indication and/or pharmaceutical guidance, in order to achieve a rational use of medicines.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/colleinternhealthscienv1-019