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Considerations in 2017–2018 for the Use of Opioids in Non-terminal Pain

  • Pain Medicine (GJ Meredith, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Anesthesiology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Despite external pressure on medical providers to reduce opioid prescribing, patients with chronic, non-terminal pain continue to present to their physicians requesting pharmacologic assistance with low back pain, arthritis, neuropathy, migraine headaches, and other forms of non-terminal pain lasting more than 3 months.

Recent Findings

In the last 2 years, updated systematic meta-analyses and one randomized, controlled trial have still been unable to find evidence of benefit from use of opioid therapy longer than 3 months for treatment of non-terminal pain.

Summary

With substantial evidence about the potential risks of opioid use and a relative paucity of evidence supporting their long-term use, prescribers are asked to be more judicious in their selection of patients, continuously weighing the risks and benefits.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Department of Anesthesiology, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA, 22042, USA

    Kenneth S. Tseng

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Tseng, K.S. Considerations in 2017–2018 for the Use of Opioids in Non-terminal Pain. Curr Anesthesiol Rep 8, 342–347 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-018-0289-y

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