Mechanism-based analgesic targets

Major analgesic target/activity	Drug/class
Binding site
Mu-opioid receptor	Opioids, tramadol
Sodium ionic channel	Lidocaine, carbamazepine, lamotrigine
Calcium ionic channel	Gabapentin, pregabalin
Neurotransmitter
Inhibition norepinephrine reuptake	Tricyclic and SNRI antidepressants
Alpha₂-adrenoreceptor agonist	Tizanidine, clonidine
Enzyme inhibition
Cyclooxygenase types 1 ≥ 2	Non-selective NSAIDS
Cyclooxygenase types 2 ≥ 1	Selective NSAIDs

SNRI: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; NSAID: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug.

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