Commonly Used Drug Dosages for Pain

Pain management is a crucial aspect of healthcare, and various classes of drugs are used to achieve this. Here are some commonly used medications and their dosages:

Anti-depressants

Anti-depressants are often used in pain management. They can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep, which can indirectly help with pain control.

1. Tricyclic anti-depressants: Amitriptyline is started at 10 to 25 mg at bedtime and can be increased step-wise to 150 mg twice per day.
2. Duloxetine: The starting dose is 30 mg twice per day, which can be increased to 120 mg/day.
3. Venlafaxine: The recommended dosage is 25 mg three times a day (tid).

Anti-convulsants

Anti-convulsants can be effective for nerve pain.

1. Carbamazepine: The usual dosage is 200 mg three times a day (tid).
2. Clonazepam: The recommended dosage is 0.5 mg three times a day (tid).
3. Gabapentin: The starting dose is 100 to 300 mg at bedtime, which can be increased to 3,600 mg/day in 3 divided doses.
4. Pregabalin: The starting dose is 75 mg twice daily, which can be increased to 600 mg/day.

Opioid Agonist

Opioids are powerful pain relievers.

1. Tramadol: The starting dose is 50 mg once or twice a day, which can be increased to a maximum of 400 mg/day.

Morphine Analogues

Morphine analogues are potent pain relievers used for severe pain.

1. Morphine: The usual dosage is 30 mg every 4 hours or as needed.
2. Codeine: The usual dosage is 200 mg every 3 to 4 hours.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are commonly used for mild to moderate pain.

1. Aspirin: The usual dosage is 650 mg every 4 to 8 hours.
2. Indomethacin: The usual dosage is 50 mg every 8 hours.
3. Piroxicam: The usual dosage is 20 mg every 24 hours.
4. Ketoprofen: The usual dosage is 50 mg every 8 hours.
5. Ibuprofen: The usual dosage is 400 mg every 6 hours.
6. Diclofenac: The usual dosage is 50 mg every 8 hours.

Please note that these dosages are general recommendations and individual patient factors such as age, weight, kidney function, and other medications may require dosage adjustments. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

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