analgesic /an′əljē″zik/ , 1. relieving pain. 2. a drug that relieves pain. The opioid analgesics act on the central nervous system and alter the patient’s perception; they are more often used for severe pain. The nonopioid analgesics act primarily at the periphery, do not produce tolerance or dependence, and do not alter the patient’s perception; they are used for mild to moderate pain. Compare anodyne. See also pain intervention.
