[Update on the pharmacologic approach to pain]

Acute pain can be managed favourably by the use of paracetamol, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids and local anaesthetics, solely or in combination. Sophisticated methods of administration such as nerve blocks or patient-controlled analgesia will improve results. Chronic pain, on the other hand, presents a more complex situation and the pharmacological approach is only one aspect of bio-psycho-social management programmes. The role of opioids in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain has still not been clarified. Adjuvant drugs are often required.