Which analgesia? Guidelines to pharmacological pain control

The aim of this guide is to provide an accessible resource for nursing and medical staff on current pharmacological methods of pain control-the different types of analgesics that are available, the indications for each and their doses, formulations, contraindications and side-effects. The focus is on the drugs used in the management of postoperative pain, although their uses obviously extend to the management of other types of pain, such as chronic pain, cancer pain or pain relief during palliative care. Patient-controlled analgesia and the management of pain in children are not included in this guide.