How do Analgesics Relieve Pain?

Analgesics are medicines that provide temporary relief from pain. The most common over the counter analgesics are Ibuprofen, Paracetamol and Aspirin.
Analgesics decrease the pain we feel in one of two ways.

Centrally acting analgesics decrease the perception of pain by reducing the flow of pain signals from the brain. Although the exact mechanism used by paracetamol is unclear, it is thought to act centrally.

Locally acting analgesics such as ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, act at the actual site of the pain to reduce the amount of pain causing chemicals produced.

Although ibuprofen and paracetamol both reduce pain and fever, it is important to note that because ibuprofen works at the site of the pain, blocking the pain causing chemicals,where inflammation is present in the surrounding tissue, reducing swelling.

 

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