ICD-10 Specific code I20: Angina pectoris

Acetylsalicylic acid combines significant advantages such as strong anti-pyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory action, that is the measure of comparison with all the newer NSAIDs.

Codeine is a centrally acting weak analgesic. Codeine exerts its effect through μ opioid receptors, although codeine has low affinity for these receptors, and its analgesic effect is due to its conversion to morphine. Codeine, particularly in combination with other analgesics such as paracetamol, has been shown to be effective in acute nociceptive pain. The anti-tussive activity of codeine is probably due to its depressant effect on the medullary cough centre in the brain.

The combination of paracetamol with codeine is a well-tolerated and effective analgesic. It consists of complementary active substances with different properties, but with common indication, the relief of pain. A special feature of the combination of paracetamol and codeine is the rapid onset of action after 10-20 minutes and the duration of action for 4-6 hours.

Dihydrocodeine is a semisynthetic narcotic analgesic with a potency between morphine and codeine. It is also a centrally-acting anti-tussive. Dihydrocodeine works on the cough centre to lessen the incidence and intensity of coughing fits.

Diltiazem is a calcium antagonist. It restricts the slow channel entry of calcium into the cell and so reduces the liberation of calcium from stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This results in a reduction of the amount of available intracellular calcium reducing myocardial oxygen consumption.

Levomepromazine resembles chlorpromazine and promethazine in the pattern of its pharmacology. It possesses anti-emetic, antihistamine and anti-adrenaline activity and exhibits a strong sedative effect.

Mefenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties.

Nitrous oxide is a potent analgesic and a weak anaesthetic. Induction with nitrous oxide is relatively rapid, but a concentration of about 70% is needed to produce unconsciousness.

Paracetamol is a medication used to treat pain and fever. It does appear to selectively inhibit COX activities in the brain, which may contribute to its ability to treat fever and pain.

Pentazocine is an opioid, benzomorphan derivative analgesic with actions and uses similar to those of morphine. It has weak narcotic antagonist actions.

Propranolol is a competitive antagonist at both beta, and beta₂-adrenoceptor, but has membrane stabilising activity at concentrations exceeding 1-3mg/litre, though such concentrations are rarely achieved during oral therapy. Competitive beta-blockade has been demonstrated in man by a parallel shift to the right in the dose-heart rate response curve to beta-agonists such as isoprenaline.

Rofecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities in animal models. The mechanism of action of rofecoxib is believed to be due to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, via inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).