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Adjuvant analgesia

University of Southern California · FDA-approved active Small molecule

Adjuvant analgesics are medications that enhance pain relief when used alongside primary analgesics, working through various mechanisms including modulation of neurotransmitters and pain pathways.

Adjuvant analgesics are medications that enhance pain relief when used alongside primary analgesics, working through various mechanisms including modulation of neurotransmitters and pain pathways. Used for Chronic pain when used adjunctively with primary analgesics, Neuropathic pain, Cancer pain.

At a glance

Generic nameAdjuvant analgesia
SponsorUniversity of Southern California
Drug classAdjuvant analgesic (class term; includes multiple drug types)
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaPain Management
PhaseFDA-approved

Mechanism of action

Adjuvant analgesics are a diverse class of drugs not primarily designed as painkillers but that possess analgesic properties when combined with opioids or other primary analgesics. They work through multiple mechanisms including norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibition, sodium channel blockade, GABA enhancement, or NMDA receptor antagonism, thereby potentiating pain relief and reducing the required doses of primary analgesics.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

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