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Opioids for Chronic Pain Work But Are Misunderstood
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Posted on: 05/24/2007
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Many people in the United States are living with chronic pain. The cause can range from injury to bone and joint diseases to cancer. When all other treatment fails, some doctors turn to opioid therapy to help their patients.
Opioids are narcotic medications used to treat pain. They work well but because people can get addicted to them, they aren't used when they could help. For anyone with chronic pain using opioids, the goal is to get the most pain relief with the fewest side effects.
One way to do this is to combine an opioid with other nonnarcotic pain relievers. And an antidepressant added to the mix may also be helpful. Pharmacists and physicians who specialize in pain control are the best health care providers to advise patients on the use of opioids. They know what dose to use, when and how to rotate drugs, and how long to use them.
Some people are at greater risk for problems taking opioids compared to others. You may not be a good candidate for opioids if you've ever had a previous history of substance abuse. And caution is advised if you have other health problems. Studies show that patients with other illnesses are more likely to have adverse side effects from opioids.
If you've tried opioids and they're no longer working, there may be another option. Extended-release opioids such as oxymorphone can help patients with moderate to severe pain. Studies show that patients can take a stable dose and get good results for up to three months or longer.
A stable dose means they can get the same amount of pain relief with the same dose every day. This avoids the problem that can occur with other opioids of less and less pain relief while taking more and more drug. For the best results, your doctor will start you out on the lowest dose possible and gradually increase the amount. For a smoother transition, a short-acting opioid can be used during this process.
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References:
Case Challenges in Pain Management: Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain. In Pain Medicine News. March/April 2007. Vol. 5. No. 2. Pp. 12-13.
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*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
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