What is a nonopioid analgesic and how does it affect the body?

Non-narcotic analgesics are drugs that have principally analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory actions. Acetaminophen is the most commonly used over-the-counter non-narcotic analgesic. Other drugs are not technically part of the analgesic family, but are nonetheless considered analgesics in practice.

Pain is the oldest complaint that medicine has attempted to treat, and there are thousands of different ways that we try to reduce pain with chemicals.. some examples:

Most non-opoid pain relievers work by inhibiting prostaglandins or cyclo-oxygenases (COX) which form prostaglandins. These act as natural muscle inflammatories/constrictors or even on the spinal neurons themselves. They are a protective device to produce pain, swelling and reduced range of motion when there is possible damage to tissue in the body.

The two classes of drugs include NSAIDS (aspirin, acetominaphen/paracetamol [Tylenol], ibuprofen [Motrin], ketoprofen, naproxen, ketorolac and dozens of variants, COX inhibitors (celecoxib [Celebrex], rofecoxib), and many, many, many more.

Steroids themselves (cortisone, prednisone, etc.) are very effective at reducing inflammation but have short half-lives and usually can't be effectively given in oral form.

Some anticonvulsants have analgesic properties too, and are prescribed for chronic pain. Gabapentin and Depakote (divalproex) increase the concentration of an inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.

Skeletal muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine, amitryptiline, chlorzoxazone, carisoprodol) relieve pain from muscle spasms by promoting muscle relaxation and depressing the nervous system, and many of them are variations of tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines like Valium or Librium.

Barbiturates, alcohol, phencyclidine/ketamine relieve pain by profoundly depressing the CNS. They are not generally used for pain relief.

Quinine and its derivatives are used for rheumatoid arthritis and joint inflammation pain, presumably by improving blood circulation.

A variety of topical pain relievers work by reducing nerve transmission or swelling/inflammation at the site of pain itself, including capsicum, menthol, salicylates, acetone and camphor, hydrocortisone.