Pharmacologic rationale for the treatment of acute pain.

This article reviews peripheral mechanisms involved in the production of dentinal pain and acute inflammatory pain. The endogenous analgesic system, located in the central nervous system, is also reviewed. The pharmacology of peripheral analgesics (such as aspirin-like drugs), local anesthetics and central analgesics (such as opiates) are discussed. Based on this information, a rational therapeutic strategy, directed toward minimizing the perception of pain and the experience of side effects, is presented.