| An
analgesic is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve
pain. Analgesic drugs include the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAID
such as the salicylates, narcotic drugs such as morphine, and synthetic drugs
with narcotic properties such as tramadol. Other classes of drugs not normally
considered analgesics are used to treat neuropathic pain syndromes; these
include tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants. It is commonly
marketed as the phosphate salt codeine phosphate. Codeine is an alkaloid found in opium.While codeine can be extracted from opium,
most codeine is synthesized
from morphine. |
