To prevent patient pain, the clinician may chose from opioid and nonopioid analgesics. It is rational for the practitioner to combine drugs from these classes when managing moderate to severe pain. To select combination regimens wisely, it is necessary to understand the significant pharmacological features of each category alone. Careful selection of an effective analgesic regimen based on the type and amount of pain the patient is expected to have can prevent the stress and anxiety associated with breakthrough pain. The clinician can and should develop a variety of effective, safe analgesic regimens, based on estimates of anticipated pain intensity that use sound pharmacological principles.

Chest wall rigidity has been reported after the administration of high-dose intravenous fentanyl. This case report supports the observation that low-dose intravenous fentanyl may also cause chest wall rigidity. The treatment of chest wall rigidity with naloxone or neuromuscular blocking agents is controversial. A discussion of the management of fentanyl-induced chest wall rigidity is presented.

Bupivacaine in dosages of 20, 40, 60, or 80 mg was applied by spray to the oropharynx of 24 volunteers. Blood levels of bupivacaine were detectable at 10 minutes, peaked at 60-90 minutes, and were still measurable at 150 minutes after administration. The maximum bupivacaine plasma level recorded in any volunteer was 0.96 —g/mL (after 80 mg). Increase in pulse rate and decrease in systolic blood pressure were significantly correlated with increasing bupivacaine dosage. No clinical signs or symptoms of drug toxicity were observed in any subject.

The range of vasoconstrictors available for use with local anesthetics in dentistry has been reviewed with emphasis on epinephrine and its physiological effects. All of the vasoconstrictors reviewed provide satisfactory results in dental anesthetic solutions when administered in appropriate concentrations and volumes. Possible drug interactions of concern to dentists include the use of vasoconstrictors with inhalational anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers and, possibly, phenothiazines. Data reviewed indicates that the amounts of epinephrine used in dentistry can result in significant elevations in circulating levels of ephinephrine and concomitant physiologic changes. Evidence reviewed suggests that 1:200,000 epinephrine concentration results in optional duration and depth of local anesthesia. With the potential for adverse effects from epinephrine concentrations that are needlessly increased, it appears that in most clinical situations a 1:200,000 concentration of epinephrine can be used in an efficacious manner.