ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Opioid analgesics (opioids), powerful pain relievers whose use has been hotly debated in the medical community, should be prescribed for some patients with chronic lower back pain, according to a Mayo Clinic article published in the September 2002 issue of Pain Medicine,
http://www.blackwellscience.com/journals/pain. After reviewing all available studies of opioid use for this condition, the author recommends that physicians and their patients at least consider opioids for the treatment of chronic, nonmalignant pain, including musculoskeletal pain and chronic lower back pain, before a patient undergoes surgery.
"Although this is somewhat controversial in that the majority of physicians still have prejudices against the use of opioid analgesics for chronic pain, there is a place for their carefully considered and closely monitored use in patients with low back pain," says J. D. Bartleson, M.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist and lead author of the paper.
Opioids are pain relievers derived from or resembling those derived from the opium plant. Well-known examples of this class of medications include morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl. The use of opioids is complicated for patients and physicians due to controversy over misuse and potential drug dependence.
"Opioids are some of the most underused drugs around because of the possibility of abuse," says Mike Joyner, M.D., Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist. "Opioids are wonderful drugs, but because of the abuse problem and moral overlay, it's hard to get a straight answer. This is because of irresponsible use by a limited number of people."
"Opioids can be a 'lifesaver' for patients with severe pain," continues Dr. Joyner. "For people with chronic pain, opioids can be like letting them out of jail."
Dr. Bartleson's article reports a dearth of randomized, controlled trials of opioid analgesic therapy for ch
'"/>
Contact: Lisa Copeland
newsbureau@mayo.edu
507-284-5005
Mayo Clinic
3-Oct-2002
Page: 1 2 3 Related medicine news :1.
Opioids, narcotic analgesics effective in treating post-herpetic neuralgia2.
HIV testing should be routine part of primary health care for sexually active3.
Opponents of needle-exchange programs should think about their message to drug users4.
Public policy should address the social factors behind ill health5.
Ethical discussion should come before research6.
Age shouldnt be a factor in kidney transplantation7.
Pregnant women should exercise to keep depression away8.
HIV testing should no longer be accorded any special status9.
Branding practices in rural India should be banned10.
Diagnosis of prions in patients should utilize novel strategy, team says11.
How often should women get mammograms?