Techniques of opioid administration

Opioids continue to be the main pharmacological treatment for severe acute pain. Traditional methods of opioid administration (oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous) are more effective in managing pain if their treatment regimens are individualized and dosages are titrated to effect. Transdermal delivery of highly lipid-soluble opioids is an alternative route of treatment when managing severe pain in chronic conditions and palliative care scenarios.