Opioid Analgesics: A Review of Their Use and Abuse
Opioid analgesics are a class of drugs used to manage pain. They are derived from the opium poppy and are sometimes referred to as opioids, opiates, or narcotics. They are generally prescribed for moderate to severe forms of pain, such as cancer pain or post-surgical pain. Opioid analgesics work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and in some cases, other parts of the body, and blocking the transmission of pain signals (Bouchelouche et al., 2020).
Opioid analgesics are generally safe and effective when used as prescribed, however, they can be highly addictive and can lead to abuse and misuse. In the United States, opioid misuse and abuse has become a major public health concern, with more than 130 people dying from an opioid overdose every day (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).
The risks of opioid analgesic abuse and misuse can be minimized through proper education and prescribing practices. Patients should be informed of the risks of addiction and informed about signs and symptoms of opioid use disorder. Prescribers should also be cautious of prescribing higher doses for longer periods of time, and should consider alternative treatment options when possible.
In addition, there are several strategies that can be used to reduce the risk of opioid misuse and abuse. These include the use of opioid prescription monitoring programs, which allow providers to track patient opioid use, and the availability of naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
In conclusion, opioid analgesics are an effective and necessary treatment option for certain types of pain. However, due to their potential for abuse and misuse, it is important to ensure that patients are properly educated on the risks of addiction and that responsible prescribing practices are followed.
References
Bouchelouche, K., Bødtker, H. S., Bødtker, A. B., & Simonsen, C. (2020). The Role of Opioids in Pain Management: A Systematic Review. Journal of Pain Research, 13, 2483–2494. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S262690
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Opioid Overdose Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html