365.1 ð é«åžçç
365.1.1 Nociceptive
- Somatic: skin, muscle, bone, joint (well-localized, sharp, aching)
- Visceral: organs (poorly localized, dull, referred)
- Examples: post-op, fracture, MI
365.1.2 Neuropathic
- Peripheral: diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic, CIPN, radiculopathy
- Central: post-stroke, MS, spinal cord injury
- Quality: burning, electric, lancinating, allodynia, hyperalgesia
- Treatment: gabapentinoids, SNRIs, TCAs, topical
365.1.3 Nociplastic (Central Sensitization)
- Altered nociception without clear tissue damage
- Examples: fibromyalgia, IBS, TMD, chronic low back pain
- Treatment: multimodal, less opioid-responsive
365.1.5 Components
- Location
- Quality (sharp, dull, burning, electric, throbbing)
- Severity (NRS 0-10, VAS, functional impact)
- Timing (constant, intermittent, fluctuating)
- Triggers/relievers
- Associated symptoms
- Impact on function, sleep, mood
365.1.6 Tools
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
- Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- McGill Pain Questionnaire (qualitative)
- Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)
- DN4, painDETECT (neuropathic screening)
365.1.7 WHO Analgesic Ladder
Step 1 (Mild, NRS 1-3): - Acetaminophen (1 g q6h max 4 g/d; hepatic caution) - NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib, ketorolac) - GI, renal, cardiovascular risks - Adjuvants: caffeine, antispasmodics
Step 2 (Moderate, NRS 4-6): - Tramadol (weak Ό + SNRI; seizure risk) - Codeine (CYP2D6 variability) - Tapentadol (Ό + NRI) - Plus non-opioid
Step 3 (Severe, NRS 7-10): - Morphine (gold standard, PO, IV, SC; active metabolites â renal caution) - Oxycodone (PO, IR + ER) - Hydromorphone (more potent, less neurotoxic metabolites) - Fentanyl (transdermal patch, IV, intranasal) - Methadone (long T1/2, QT prolong, NMDA effect â useful for opioid-refractory neuropathic) - Plus non-opioid + adjuvant
365.1.8 Adjuvants (All Steps)
- Antidepressants: TCAs (amitriptyline, nortriptyline), SNRIs (duloxetine, venlafaxine)
- Anticonvulsants: gabapentin, pregabalin, carbamazepine (TN)
- Topical: lidocaine 5% patch, capsaicin 8% patch
- Corticosteroids: bone pain, neuropathic
- Bisphosphonates: bone metastases
- Cannabinoids: select cases
- NMDA antagonists: ketamine
365.1.10 Mechanisms
- Ectopic firing
- Ephaptic transmission
- Central sensitization
- Disinhibition
- Glial activation
365.1.11 First-Line Drugs
- Gabapentinoids (gabapentin 300-3600 mg/d, pregabalin 150-600 mg/d): dose-titrated
- TCAs (amitriptyline 10-100 mg HS, nortriptyline): anticholinergic, sedation, CV
- SNRIs (duloxetine 60-120 mg, venlafaxine 75-225 mg)
365.1.12 Second-Line
- Topical lidocaine 5% patch (localized â PHN, focal)
- Capsaicin 8% patch (PHN, HIV neuropathy)
- Tramadol
- Opioids (selected refractory cases)
365.1.13 Specific Conditions
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: - Glycemic control - Pregabalin, duloxetine, gabapentin - Capsaicin patch
Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN): - Gabapentin, pregabalin - TCA - Lidocaine 5% patch - Capsaicin 8% patch - Prevention: shingles vaccine (Shingrix), early antivirals
Trigeminal Neuralgia: - Carbamazepine first-line - Oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, gabapentin - Microvascular decompression
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): - Type I (no nerve injury) + Type II (nerve injury) - Allodynia, autonomic, motor changes - Multimodal â physical therapy, anti-neuropathic agents, sympathetic blocks
365.1.14 Equivalence Table (Oral Morphine Equivalents â MME/day)
| Drug | Conversion to MME |
|---|---|
| Morphine | 1:1 |
| Oxycodone | 1.5:1 |
| Hydromorphone | 4:1 |
| Fentanyl (TD ÎŒg/h) | Ã 2.4 |
| Methadone | Variable (3-12:1 depending on dose) |
| Codeine | 0.15:1 |
| Tramadol | 0.1:1 |
365.1.15 Side Effects
- Constipation (predictable; prophylactic laxative)
- Nausea (tolerance develops)
- Sedation
- Respiratory depression (high doses, combinations)
- Pruritus
- Endocrine (hypogonadism)
- Hyperalgesia (paradoxical)
- Dependence + tolerance + addiction
365.1.16 Opioid Use Disorder
- Distinct from physical dependence
- Risk factors: prior addiction, depression, young age, family history
- Screening tools (ORT, SOAPP, COMM)
- PDMP (prescription drug monitoring)
- Naloxone for overdose
- MAT (medication for addiction): buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone
365.1.17 Tapering
- Slow (10% per week typical)
- Address withdrawal
- Address underlying pain
- Consider buprenorphine for chronic high-dose
365.1.17.1 𩺠åºé鿥
- Pain types: nociceptive (somatic, visceral) vs neuropathic vs nociplastic
- WHO ladder: non-opioid â weak opioid â strong opioid; adjuvants throughout
- Neuropathic first-line: gabapentinoids, TCAs, SNRIs
- Trigeminal neuralgia: carbamazepine
- PHN prevention: Shingrix vaccine
- Opioids: minimize, prophylactic laxatives, taper slowly
- MME: ⥠50 MME/d high risk; ⥠90 MME/d very high risk