Compound
analgesics are those with multiple
active ingredient
An active ingredient is any ingredient that provides biologically active or other direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease or to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or animals. The ...
s; they include many of the stronger
prescription analgesics.
Active ingredients that have been commonly used in compound analgesics include:
*
aspirin
Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and/or inflammation, and as an antithrombotic. Specific inflammatory conditions which aspirin is used to treat inc ...
or
ibuprofen
*
caffeine
Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class. It is mainly used recreationally as a cognitive enhancer, increasing alertness and attentional performance. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine to ...
*
codeine or
oxycodone
Oxycodone, sold under various brand names such as Roxicodone and OxyContin (which is the extended release form), is a strong, semi-synthetic opioid used medically for treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is highly addictive and a commonly ...
*
paracetamol (acetaminophen)
*
phenacetin
There is evidence that a compound of two analgesics with different
mechanism of action
In pharmacology, the term mechanism of action (MOA) refers to the specific biochemical interaction through which a drug substance produces its pharmacological effect. A mechanism of action usually includes mention of the specific molecular targ ...
can have an increased painkilling effect over the sum of the effect of each individual analgesic.
Several such formulations have disappeared from
over-the-counter
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines sold directly to a consumer without a requirement for a prescription from a healthcare professional, as opposed to prescription drugs, which may be supplied only to consumers possessing a valid prescr ...
status in drug store aisles and other retail outlets. One example is APC (aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine) compound tablets common from the 1940s to 1983; because of harmful side effects of phenacetin,
Anacin
Anacin is an American brand of analgesic that is manufactured by Prestige Consumer Healthcare. Its product contains aspirin and caffeine.
History
Anacin was invented by William Milton Knight and was first to be used circa 1916 as stated in the ...
in the U.S. was reformulated to eliminate it; while
Vincent's APC
Vincent Chemical Company was an Australian business noted for manufacture of a popular compound analgesic "Vincent's APC"
History
Dr. Harry John Clayton (ca.1887 – 31 October 1928) of Macquarie Street and medical superintendent of the Royal Pr ...
is no longer sold. Some others have been judged to contribute too often to
substance abuse.
Another example is
Bex, a once popular
Australian
Australian(s) may refer to:
Australia
* Australia, a country
* Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia
** European Australians
** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists
** Aboriginal A ...
compound analgesic which is no longer sold. It contained 42% aspirin, 42% phenacetin, plus caffeine.
The United States
Food and Drug Administration
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a List of United States federal agencies, federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is respon ...
also now requires that manufacturers of compound analgesics unequivocally state each ingredient's purpose.
References
External links
APCdefinition and brief history.
Analgesics
*
{{analgesic-stub