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Pharmacy & Pharmacology vocabulary · Drug Classes

Analgesic

Meaning in pharmacy & pharmacology, with examples

/ˌænəlˈdʒizɪk/nounCore term

In pharmacy & pharmacology, analgesic means: A medicine that relieves pain without making the patient unconscious, from simple products such as paracetamol to strong opioids such as morphine.

In Turkish: analjezik, ağrı kesici

How it is used

The professional word; patients say 'painkiller'. Analgesics are grouped as non-opioids (paracetamol, NSAIDs) and opioids (weak ones such as codeine, strong ones such as morphine), and the WHO analgesic ladder shows how they are combined. Pharmacists often advise on OTC analgesics and check for duplicate ingredients.

Example sentences

  1. Which analgesic is the safest choice for him, given his stomach ulcer?

  2. Paracetamol is a simple analgesic with very little anti-inflammatory effect.

Common collocations

  • simple analgesic
  • opioid analgesic
  • over-the-counter analgesic
  • analgesic ladder
  • NSAIDShort for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug: a medicine such as ibuprofen, naproxen or diclofenac that reduces pain, fever and inflammation.
  • opioidA strong painkiller that acts on opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, such as morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine or tramadol.
  • over-the-counterDescribes a medicine that can be bought without a prescription, in a pharmacy or, for some products, in ordinary shops and supermarkets.
  • as neededAn instruction meaning that a medicine is taken only when the patient has the symptom it treats, such as pain or breathlessness, not at fixed times.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Drug Classes

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.