Treat the Whole Patient and Be Aware of Drug Interactions

ABSTRACT

The case of an elderly male with bilateral shoulder pain is presented. The pain had been successfully treated years earlier with surgery, but a repeat rotator cuff procedure when the pain recurred was not effective. The patient's physician asked about impact of systemic analgesics on the elderly patient and interactions with his blood pressure medications. Cardiovascular and renal risks of NSAOIDs are discussed as are potential toxicities of tramadol and too rapid withdrawal from it. Drug interactions of medications used are described.

This report is adapted from paineurope 2014; Issue 3, ©Haymarket Medical Publications Ltd., and is presented with permission. paineurope is provided as a service to pain management by Mundipharma International, LTD and is distributed free of charge to healthcare professionals in Europe. Archival issues can be accessed via the website: http://www.paineurope.com at which European health professionals can register online to receive copies of the quarterly publication.

KEYWORDS :

• NSAIDs
• tramadol
• hypertension
• ACE-inhibitor
• serotonergic effects
• interactions
• monitoring