Surgery and Anaesthesia

Analgesia

Analgesia is the inability to feel pain. An analgesic or painkiller is any member from the group of medications used to accomplish absence of pain, alleviation from pain. Analgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous systems. They are distinct from anesthetics which temporarily affect, and in some instances completely eliminate sensation. Analgesics comprise paracetamol (known in North America as acetaminophen or simply APAP), the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, for example, the salicylates, and opioid medications, for example, morphine and oxycodone.