Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Pain therapy - Are there new options on the horizon?
Christoph Stein1, Andreas Kopf2
1Department of Experimental Anesthesiology, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, D-12200 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
This article reviews the role of analgesic drugs with a particular emphasis on opioids. Opioids are the oldest and most potent drugs for the treatment of severe pain, but they are burdened by detrimental side effects such as respiratory depression, addiction, sedation, nausea, and constipation. Their clinical application is undisputed in acute (e.g., perioperative) and cancer pain, but their long-term use in chronic pain has met increasing scrutiny and has contributed to the current opioid crisis. We discuss epidemiological data, pharmacological principles, clinical applications, and research strategies aiming at novel opioids with reduced side effects.
Related Concept Videos
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Pain
Nociception
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management

