What are non-sedative analgesics?

From the Guidelines

Nonsedative analgesics are pain-relieving medications that do not cause drowsiness or sedation as a primary effect, and the most common ones include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, as well as acetaminophen. The most recent and highest quality study 1 supports the use of NSAIDs, such as acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, and diclofenac potassium, as first-line medications for acute migraine treatment.

• Typical dosing for ibuprofen is 200-400mg every 4-6 hours (maximum 3200mg daily)
• Naproxen 220-500mg every 8-12 hours (maximum 1500mg daily)
• Acetaminophen 325-650mg every 4-6 hours (maximum 3000mg daily) These medications are appropriate for mild to moderate pain when sedation would be undesirable, such as during daytime activities, work, or driving. Some key points to consider when using these medications include:
• Side effects vary but may include gastrointestinal irritation with NSAIDs and liver toxicity with high doses of acetaminophen
• Patients with certain conditions like kidney disease, liver disease, or gastric ulcers should use these medications with caution and consult healthcare providers about appropriate options
• Acetaminophen may be the safest nonopioid analgesic option, especially in certain situations such as perioperative care in cardiac surgery 1

From the FDA Drug Label

What are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)? NSAID medicines are used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from medical conditions such as: different types of arthritis menstrual cramps and other types of short-term pain.

Non-sedative analgesics are not explicitly defined in the provided drug labels. However, based on the information provided, NSAIDs can be considered as a type of non-sedative analgesic, as they are used to treat pain and inflammation without causing sedation.

• Key characteristics of NSAIDs include:
  • Treatment of pain and inflammation
  • Non-sedative properties (not explicitly stated, but implied as they are not mentioned to cause sedation)
  • Used for various medical conditions, such as arthritis and menstrual cramps 2, 3

From the Research

Definition of Non-Sedative Analgesics

Non-sedative analgesics are a class of drugs that relieve pain without causing significant drowsiness or sedation.

Examples of Non-Sedative Analgesics

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used non-sedative analgesics, as mentioned in 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
• Acetaminophen is another example of a non-sedative analgesic, which is as effective as NSAIDs for the management of mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis pain, according to 5.
• Tramadol is a relatively new analgesic that appears to be a useful therapy for patients who do not receive adequate pain relief with acetaminophen and are at risk for NSAID-related side effects, as stated in 5.
• Topical capsaicin is also an effective non-sedative analgesic for localized chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis, as mentioned in 5.

Characteristics of Non-Sedative Analgesics

• Non-sedative analgesics vary in their selectivity for inhibiting the two types of cyclo-oxygenase, as noted in 4.
• These analgesics are commonly used for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, but may have adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal and renal toxicities, as discussed in 5, 6, 7.
• The choice of non-sedative analgesic should be based on the incidence of associated side-effects, as recommended in 4.