Miscellaneous analgesics

What are Miscellaneous analgesics?

Miscellaneous analgesics are those analgesics that don’t fit into a particular class of analgesic because they work in a different way to relieve pain. That means they do not work like an opioid, nor do they work like an NSAID.

There are only really two miscellaneous analgesics currently available in the United States. They are acetaminophen and ziconotide.

Experts are not sure exactly how acetaminophen works but suggest it blocks a specific type of cyclooxygenase enzyme, located mainly in the brain.

Experts believe ziconotide works by blocking voltage-sensitive calcium channels located in the pain-sensing nerves of the spinal cord. This prevents over-firing of the nerve and decreases a person’s sensitivity to pain.

What are miscellaneous analgesics used for?

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain caused by a wide variety of conditions, for example:

headaches
migraines
osteoarthritis
rheumatoid arthritis
sprains and strains
a toothache.

It may also be used to relieve pain caused by menstruation; however, it is not as effective as NSAIDs.

Ziconotide is reserved for people with severe chronic pain that has not responded to other pain-relieving medications.

What are the differences between miscellaneous analgesics?

There are a lot of differences between the two miscellaneous analgesics listed here, acetaminophen and ziconotide, with regards to the way they work, their uses, and their side effect profile. Acetaminophen is considered safe in children; however, the safety and efficacy of ziconotide has not been proven in children.

Generic name	Brand name examples
acetaminophen	Actamin, Medi-Tabs, Tactinal, Tylenol
ziconotide	Prialt

Are miscellaneous analgesics safe?

Acetaminophen has been associated with severe liver damage. The risk is increased if acetaminophen is taken at higher than recommended dosages, with other medications (such as cold and flu remedies) that also contain acetaminophen, or by people who drink more than three alcoholic drinks a day.

Ziconotide has been associated with severe psychiatric symptoms (such as hallucinations and paranoia) and cognitive impairment (such as disorientation and decreased mental acuity) and should not be used in people with a history of psychosis. Ziconotide should be stopped immediately if serious psychiatric symptoms occur. Ziconotide should also not be used in people with kidney or liver disease and caution should be observed when using in elderly people. Ziconotide is not recommended for use in children.

What are the side effects of miscellaneous analgesics?

Generally, acetaminophen is well tolerated, and few people experience side effects. One of the more common side effects is fever (that was not present before treatment and not caused by the condition being treated).

Other side effects that have been reported rarely with acetaminophen include:

a rash
a sore throat
sores or ulcers on the lips or mouth
unusual tiredness or weakness
urine or stool changes.

Some of the more common side effects that have been associated with ziconotide include:

ataxia (difficulty coordinating muscle movements)
blurred vision
confusion
dizziness
drowsiness
gastrointestinal disturbances (such as diarrhea, nausea or vomiting)
hallucinations (may be auditory or visual)
a headache
increased creatine phosphokinase levels (an indicator of muscle tissue damage)
memory impairment
walking abnormalities
weakness.

For a complete list of side effects, please refer to the individual drug monographs.

List drug with Miscellaneous analgesics

Drug Name
Acephen Generic name: Acetaminophen
Acephen rectal Generic name: Acetaminophen (rectal)
Acetaminophen Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Acetaminophen (Intravenous) Generic name: Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen (Oral, Rectal) Generic name: Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen injection Generic name: Acetaminophen (injection)
Acetaminophen rectal Generic name: Acetaminophen (rectal)
Actamin Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Actamin Maximum Strength Generic name: Acetaminophen
Altenol Generic name: Acetaminophen
Aminofen Generic name: Acetaminophen
Anacin AF Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Anacin Aspirin Free Generic name: Acetaminophen
Apra Generic name: Acetaminophen
Comtrex Sore Throat Relief Generic name: Acetaminophen
Cetafen Generic name: Acetaminophen
Children's Mapap Generic name: Acetaminophen
Children's Nortemp Generic name: Acetaminophen
Children's Tylenol Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Dolono Generic name: Acetaminophen
Febrol Generic name: Acetaminophen
Feverall Generic name: Acetaminophen
Feverall rectal Generic name: Acetaminophen (rectal)
Genapap Generic name: Acetaminophen
Genebs Generic name: Acetaminophen
Infantaire Generic name: Acetaminophen
Mapap Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Mapap Arthritis Pain Generic name: Acetaminophen
Ofirmev Generic name: Acetaminophen (injection)
Pain-Eze +/Rheu-Thritis Generic name: Acetaminophen
Paracetamol Generic name: Paracetamol
Pharbetol Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Prialt Generic name: Ziconotide
Pyrecot Generic name: Acetaminophen
Pyregesic Generic name: Acetaminophen
Q-Pap Generic name: Acetaminophen
Redutemp Generic name: Acetaminophen
Silapap Generic name: Acetaminophen
Silapap Childrens Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Tactinal Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Tempra Quicklets Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
T-Painol Generic name: Acetaminophen
Tycolene Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Tylenol Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Vitapap Generic name: Acetaminophen (oral)
Ziconotide Generic name: Ziconotide

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.