Narcotics

[game over]

where can i find info regarding meds and drugs for pain management, or some kind of a "comparative info" ,for example: 1)for narcs, which are the mildest to the strongest, which is appropriate for which patient., 2)and other pain meds that are not considered narcs like tramadol, ultracet.

Thanks

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

do a search on pain management. There are websites for oncology nurses and others for hospice nurses. Try:

http://www.cancer.org

http://www.acor.org/index.html

http://www.cancerlinks.org

http://www.profed.uicc.org

http://cancer.med.upenn.edu

http://www.ons.org

http://www.tneel.uic.edu (toolkit for nursing excellence at end of life transition)

[kids]

I suggest doing a search for "equianalgesic chart" (be sure to spell it correcly or you won't get anything). It/they will likely give the info you are looking for. I typed it into MSN search and got 132 hits, a quick skim of the first 2 pages were all good info.Keep in mind that when it comes to "strength" many drugs are grouped (Dilaudid -vs-MS/Demerol -vs-Tylenol #3/Vicodin). And while a chart can be helpful the actual effects & effectiveness will vary from patient to patient. Most charts don't cover the OTCs (Tylenol, Advil) as are kind of first line, mild pain meds.

[game over]

Thank you !!!