Are Non-Opioid Analgesics Deemed
Right for Severe Pain?
The short-term use of low doses of opioids may be proven to be necessary in treating acute pain happening after surgery or injury. However, keep in mind that there are risks associated with opioid use, such as the possibility of being dependent on it and getting overdosed. These have caused prescribers to consider non-opioid analgesics and even alternatives. Cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise therapy, and complementary medicine are some of these.
Treating mild or moderate acute and chronic pain is also something to take note of. It has been held that non-opioid medications are usually not associated with the substance use disorder. Thus, the recommendation for “non-opioid medications and nonpharmacologic treatments are deemed to be preferred therapies for chronic pain.
