Postoperative Pain Management: Understanding the Role of NSAIDs and Analgesics

Volume: 11 | Issue: 01 | Year 2025 | Subscription
International Journal of Chemical Synthesis and Chemical Reactions
Received Date: 02/04/2025
Acceptance Date: 02/09/2025
Published On: 2025-02-10
First Page: 36
Last Page: 42

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By: sowby jan, Dr. Dawood, Dr. Faizan, and Tahseen Irshad

St Soldier Group of Institutions

Abstract

Postoperative pain management is a critical aspect of clinical care, with a significant impact on patient recovery and quality of life. Among the pharmacological options available, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (paracetamol) are widely utilized due to their distinct chemical properties and mechanisms of action. This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of intravenous paracetamol (C₈H₉NO₂) and diclofenac (C₁₄H₁₁Cl₂NO₂) in postoperative analgesia, focusing on their pharmacokinetic profiles, safety, and therapeutic outcomes. A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted on 100 patients undergoing elective general and gynecological surgeries. The participants were divided into two groups: Group I received intravenous paracetamol, and Group II received intravenous diclofenac. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at different time intervals (0, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively), alongside monitoring physiological parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, sedation levels, and the incidence of side effects. The results demonstrated that paracetamol, with its central mechanism of COX enzyme inhibition and favorable pharmacokinetic properties, provided superior analgesic efficacy with reduced side effects compared to diclofenac. Paracetamol exhibited a rapid onset of action (within 8 minutes intravenously), minimal protein binding, and renal excretion, leading to a lower requirement for rescue analgesia. In contrast, diclofenac, a potent NSAID with strong anti- inflammatory properties, was associated with gastrointestinal irritation and potential nephrotoxicity, emphasizing the importance of patient-specific considerations.In conclusion, the administration of intravenous paracetamol 30 minutes prior to surgery completion, followed by 1g every 8 hours, offers a chemically safer and clinically effective alternative to diclofenac for postoperative pain management. These findings support the integration of paracetamol in multimodal analgesia strategies to optimize pain relief while minimizing adverse effects.

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Citation:

How to cite this article: sowby jan, Dr. Dawood, Dr. Faizan, and Tahseen Irshad, Postoperative Pain Management: Understanding the Role of NSAIDs and Analgesics. International Journal of Chemical Synthesis and Chemical Reactions. 2025; 11(01): 36-42p.

How to cite this URL: sowby jan, Dr. Dawood, Dr. Faizan, and Tahseen Irshad, Postoperative Pain Management: Understanding the Role of NSAIDs and Analgesics. International Journal of Chemical Synthesis and Chemical Reactions. 2025; 11(01): 36-42p. Available from:https://journalspub.com/publication/ijcscr/article=14985

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