Analgesics – From Chemistry and Pharmacology to Clinical Application

Helmut Buschmann, Thomas Christoph, Elmar Friderichs, Corinna Maul and Bernd Sundermann are all affiliated with the Gruenenthal GmbH and based in Aachen (Germany). They are working in various positions within the company for the discovery and development of novel analgesics. Helmut Buschmann has recently been named Research Director of the Laboratorios Esteve in Barcelona (Spain).

INTRODUCTION What is Pain? PAIN THERAPY TODAY COX Inhibition: From NSAIDS to Selective Inhibitors Opioids Introduction Opioid Peptides Synthetic Opioids Opioids with Clinical Relevance The delta Opioid Receptor Opioid like Receptor (ORL1) Drug Delivery Systems for Opioids Noradrenaline and Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors NEW APPROACHES IN PAIN THERAPY Gabapentin and Gabapentinoids Voltage gated Ion Channels Sodium Channels Potassium Channels Calcium Channels Glutamate Receptors Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors NMDA Receptors AMPA and Kainate Receptors Acetylcholine Receptors Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors Adenosine in Pain Management P2 Receptors in Pain Natural and Synthetic Cannabinoids Vanilloids and the VR1 Receptor Substance P/NK1 Receptors CGRP1 Receptor Antagonists in Pain and Migraine Nitric Oxide Outlook The Future of Pain Management GLOSSARY INDEX