Analgesic agents for the postoperative period - Nonopioids

Opioids have many limitations in the treatment of nociceptive pain that fol lows surgery. Nonopioid analgesics, incorporated into a regimen of multimod al analgesia, offer improved analgesia with fewer side effects. Commonly us ed nonopioid drugs are acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, alp ha(2)-agonists, and tramadol. Adenosine and spinal neostigmine are still in the research stage of development. Significantly, neuropathic pain may dev elop following surgery, which may require systemic Lidocaine, mexiltine, an anticonvulsant, or an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist (e.g., ketamine).