Which agents are commonly included in multimodal analgesia?

• A. Only opioids
• B. Acetaminophen, NSAIDs, regional anesthesia, and adjuvants
• C. Antibiotics
• D. Sedatives

Answer: (B)

Multimodal analgesia uses several agents and techniques that act on different parts of the pain system to achieve better relief with less opioid use. Including acetaminophen, NSAIDs, regional anesthesia, and adjuvants covers multiple mechanisms: acetaminophen provides central analgesia; NSAIDs reduce inflammation and peripheral sensitization; regional anesthesia blocks nerve conduction to prevent pain signals; adjuvants like gabapentinoids or ketamine target neuropathic and central sensitization and can enhance the overall analgesic effect. This combination lowers opioid requirements and minimizes side effects, which is the goal of multimodal analgesia. Antibiotics do not relieve pain; they treat infection. Sedatives may help with anxiety or sleep but do not provide analgesia and are not core components of multimodal analgesia.