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Opioids in Abdominal Pain

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Chronic Abdominal Pain

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Abstract

The use of opioids in the setting of abdominal pain has nearly doubled in the last decade, making it a commonplace yet controversial practice. Although initially used predominantly for cancer pain and acute conditions, opioid use for chronic noncancerous pain has steadily increased along with the rates of abuse, misuse, and diversion. The variety of agents available have equally increased in recent years, giving the prescriber much to consider when weighing the drug’s properties with patient-related factors and special issues specific to opioids in the gastrointestinal tract. In light of the variables ultimately leading to the patient’s response, the opioid agent is often changed to a different type of formulation in order to maintain efficacy and minimize side effects. Overall, opioids must be prescribed on an individual basis with frequent monitoring for benefits as well as side effects and evidence of abuse.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The George Washington University Hospital, 900 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC, 20037, USA

    Genaro J. Gutierrez M.D.

  2. Department of Spine and Pain Medicine, The George Washington University Hospital, 2131 K Street NW Suite 600, Washington, DC, 20037, USA

    Justin Rodante M.P.H.

  3. Pain Medicine & Research, International Spine, Pain & Performance Center, 8401 Colesville Road #50, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA

    Mehul J. Desai M.D., M.P.H.

Authors
  1. Genaro J. Gutierrez M.D.
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  2. Justin Rodante M.P.H.
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  3. Mehul J. Desai M.D., M.P.H.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mehul J. Desai M.D., M.P.H. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Director, Carolinas Pain Institute and Clinical Research Center, Professor of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

    Leonardo Kapural

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Gutierrez, G.J., Rodante, J., Desai, M.J. (2015). Opioids in Abdominal Pain. In: Kapural, L. (eds) Chronic Abdominal Pain. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1992-5_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1992-5_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1991-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1992-5

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