New Tools to Relieve Pain

antiquity · 10-23-2001, 08:08 AM

New Tools to Relieve Surgical Pain

Oct. 22, 2001 (Ivanhoe Newswire) - Researchers reporting at this year's meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists say an injectable form of acetaminophen may be a safe and effective way to treat pain associated with surgery.

Acetaminophen is the active ingredient found in the pain reliever, Tylenol. When patients undergo surgery, morphine is generally used to relieve pain, but it can cause many side effects such as nausea, constipation and drowsiness. Researchers from Yale University studied an injectable form of acetaminophen to test its effectiveness at relieving surgical pain. They found this newer form reaches the central nervous system quicker and in higher concentration than when given in a standard tablet form.

A second study from Yale researchers studied the effectiveness of rofecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, as another way to reduce pain after surgery. Rofecoxib works by turning off an enzyme which produces substances that cause pain. Researchers found the drug is effective in relieving pain as well as reducing the amount of morphine a patient needs. Raymond Sinatra, M.D., Ph.D., from Yale University, says, "Lowering morphine consumption reduces postsurgical complications and helps patients recover quicker. That translates into shorter hospital stays, healthier patients and reduced health care costs."

SOURCE: American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting in New Orleans, 2001

David Berg · 10-23-2001, 06:58 PM

Yet another interesting article seneca, thank you. Could I ask for one small favor? If you post an article that you copied from a website, could you please post the URL as well? I'd appreciate it.

Thank you!

David Berg

10-23-2001, 08:08 AM	#1
antiquity Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 14,014	New Tools to Relieve Pain New Tools to Relieve Surgical Pain Oct. 22, 2001 (Ivanhoe Newswire) - Researchers reporting at this year's meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists say an injectable form of acetaminophen may be a safe and effective way to treat pain associated with surgery. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient found in the pain reliever, Tylenol. When patients undergo surgery, morphine is generally used to relieve pain, but it can cause many side effects such as nausea, constipation and drowsiness. Researchers from Yale University studied an injectable form of acetaminophen to test its effectiveness at relieving surgical pain. They found this newer form reaches the central nervous system quicker and in higher concentration than when given in a standard tablet form. A second study from Yale researchers studied the effectiveness of rofecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, as another way to reduce pain after surgery. Rofecoxib works by turning off an enzyme which produces substances that cause pain. Researchers found the drug is effective in relieving pain as well as reducing the amount of morphine a patient needs. Raymond Sinatra, M.D., Ph.D., from Yale University, says, "Lowering morphine consumption reduces postsurgical complications and helps patients recover quicker. That translates into shorter hospital stays, healthier patients and reduced health care costs." SOURCE: American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting in New Orleans, 2001

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10-23-2001, 06:58 PM	#2
David Berg Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 4,527	Yet another interesting article seneca, thank you. Could I ask for one small favor? If you post an article that you copied from a website, could you please post the URL as well? I'd appreciate it. Thank you! David Berg