The use of opioids in chronic nonmalignant pain

Maciej Hilgier

ISSN: 1505-8409

Przewodnik Lekarza/Guide for GPs

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4/2006
vol. 9

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abstract:

The use of opioids in chronic nonmalignant pain

Maciej Hilgier

Przew Lek 2006; 4: 50-56

Online publish date: 2006/06/08

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The majority of patients with cancer pain need therapy including strong opioids, and patients with non-cancer pain may also benefit from strong opioid medication. The use of opioid analgesics for long term management of chronic non-cancer pain is now an accepted, although still a controversial medical practice. The controversy surrounding the long-term use of opioid drugs in patients with nonmalignant pain has intensified in recent years. This debate is driven by a new willingness to consider the potential benefits of an approach that has been traditionally rejected as invariably ineffective and unsafe. In fact long-term medication with strong opioids is much safer than with NSAIDs. Implementation strong opioids to chronic non-malignant pain treatment need clear-cut guidelines. Such exists in USA and in many countries in Europe. The Polish guidelines are presented and discussed in the article.

keywords:

The use of opioids in chronic nonmalignant pain

Maciej Hilgier

nonmalignant pain, opioids, guidelines