Acute Pain

Acute pain is defined as pain of short and limited duration.¹

South African acute pain guidelines state that “Acute pain management is not a luxury, it is a human right”.¹ This is because adverse physiological and psychological effects may result from unrelieved severe acute pain.¹

The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists and the International Association for the Study of Pain have both identified the fact that pain is badly managed around the world, but also stress that attention needs to be given to pain management in developing countries.¹

It is within the scope of practice to provide safe and effective pain relief that is relevant to patient expectations and to local South African conditions.¹

Management of minor and moderate acute pain as an outpatient is usually easily achieved with the use of routine oral agents.¹ It is important to remember that the experience of pain is subjective.¹

Paracetamol, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors (coxibs) and opioid derivatives are the most commonly prescribed agents. These agents are generally safe for routine usage as a short course of therapy for acute pain.¹

Both OTC and prescription options are available for the treatment of acute pain in South Africa.^2,3,4