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Opioids for chronic noncancer pain

Gary McCleane

The use of strong opioids as analgesics is established practice when managing postoperative pain and that associated with a terminal illness. It is now becoming more accepted in the treatment of chronic noncancer pain. This use is supported by significant evidence of an analgesic effect. However, a number of issues including efficacy in comparison with other drug classes and the risk of obvious and more insidious short- and long-term side effects, cause a degree of concern that may mitigate against even more widespread use.