Via practica 5/2021

Pharmacotherapy of pain in urology

Pain is the most common symptom of any (also urological) disease. Pharmacotherapy that preserves the principles of the World Health Organization´s analgesic ladder is fundamental to the management of all types of pain. It is recommended to use non-opioid analgesics, opioids and adjuvants for nociceptive pain; for neuropathic pain especially anticonvulsants and antidepressants, non-opioid analgesics and opioids; antidepressants for psychogenic pain and the like. The urologist most often encounters acute pain (e. g. renal colic, injuries), but also chronic painful conditions (e. g. chronic pelvic pain syndromes, etc.) and also pain in cancer. Adequately managed therapy of acute pain also represents prevention of the transition to a chronic state. Chronic non-tumor pain syndromes are always complex and difficult to resolve. The treatment is an important part of a comprehensive oncological approach and opioids pharmacotherapy is of crucial importance. Multidisciplinary cooperation of several specialists is a necessary condition for effective management of complex pain.

Keywords: types of pain, pharmacotherapy of pain, analgesic ladder, urology