Abstract
Opioid medication for chronic noncancer pain has grown in popularity over the last few decades, despite the lack of compelling evidence for their efficacy. Opioids can be considered as a means of analgesia for chronic pain when other non-opioid pain medication and treatments have been exhausted. In contrast to the concurrent rise in opioid-related morbidity and mortality, provider vigilance with opioid prescribing is paramount. Opioids for chronic noncancer pain should only be prescribed if there is significant pathology, confirmed with history and physical exam as well as pertinent diagnostic testing. Because of the highly addicting nature of the medication and the increasing street value of prescription opioids, ruling out misuse, abuse, and contraindications is mandatory.
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Carlson, J.D., Peloquin, J. (2017). Opioid Medications for Chronic Noncancer Pain. In: Pope, J., Deer, T. (eds) Treatment of Chronic Pain Conditions. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6976-0_20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6976-0_20
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