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[Opioid therapy in chronic non-malignant pain]
1Benjamin Franklin Schmerz-Zentrum, Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin der Freien Universität Berlin. kopf@ukbf.fu-berlin.de
Der Anaesthesist
|March 8, 2003
Summary
Long-term opioid therapy for chronic non-malignant pain has minimal side effects but requires careful patient selection and management. Evidence is limited, necessitating individualized treatment and consideration of alternatives.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Practice
Context:
- Opioid analgesics are used for chronic non-malignant pain.
- Long-term opioid therapy presents potential risks alongside benefits.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term opioid use in non-malignant pain.
- To provide recommendations for the clinical practice of opioid therapy.
Summary:
- Opioids show minimal side effects compared to other analgesics, with rare risks like addiction.
- Cognitive impairment, sedation, and constipation are manageable side effects.
- Evidence for general opioid use is scarce, necessitating individualized treatment plans.
- Standardized documentation is crucial for identifying treatment responders.
Impact:
- Opioid therapy for chronic non-malignant pain should be individualized, with careful consideration of alternatives.
- Specialized pain management knowledge is essential for safe and effective long-term opioid use.
- DGSS recommendations facilitate a structured and validated approach to opioid therapy.