Pharmacotherapy for acute pain in children: current practice and recent advances

Abstract

Introduction: Acute pain in children may be undertreated. Improved understanding of developmental neurobiology and paediatric pharmacokinetics should facilitate better management of pharmacotherapy. The objective of this review is to discuss current paediatric practice and recent advances with these analgesic agents by using an evidence-based approach.

Areas covered: Using PubMed an extensive literature review was conducted on the commonly used analgesic agents in children from 2000 to April 2010.

Expert opinion: A multimodal analgesic regimen provides better pain control and functional outcome in children. The choice of pharmacological treatment is determined by the severity and type of pain. However, more research and evidence is required to determine the optimal drug combinations.