Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2745034 Anesthesiology Clinics 2007 21 Pages PDF
Abstract

This article concentrates on recent evidence about opioid analgesics for persistent noncancer pain. Evidence confirms that opioids are drugs with a definite risk of adverse events. Therefore, before prescribing opioids, careful consideration must be given to be certain that the intended benefit of a particular opioid merits its use despite the potential side effects and to determine if the co-prescription of other pharmacologic agents could reduce the risk of adverse events. Strong opioids should be reserved for patients who fail to respond to other lower-risk options and only after proper consideration is given to the long-term consequences of strong opioid use. Problems associated with opioids dictate that more efficacious and safer drugs need to be found.

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