Narcotics Analgesics: Powerful Pain Relief but High Risk of Addiction
What are Narcotic Analgesics?
Narcotic analgesics, also called opioid analgesics or opioid pain medications, are a class of powerful drugs that work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and body. Some common narcotic analgesics include morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, and methadone.
All narcotic analgesics work similarly in the brain to reduce the perception of pain. They are very effective for acute, severe pain such as that following surgery, injuries, or dental procedures. For many years, they were also commonly prescribed for chronic pain conditions like back pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
However, recent research has shown that narcotics are not always the best option for long-term chronic pain for several reasons that will be explored later in this article. They are now reserved primarily for short-term, acute pain or end-of-life/palliative care where the risks of addiction may be outweighed by adequate pain relief.
Uses of Narcotic Analgesics
Narcotic Analgesics are very effective for severe acute pain relief following trauma or surgery. Some specific uses include:
- Post-surgical pain management: Narcotics are commonly prescribed after many types of surgeries to control wound pain as the incision heals.
- Traumatic injuries: Broken bones, burns, and other serious injuries usually cause severe enough pain to warrant narcotic treatment until healing is underway.
- Cancer pain: For pain from advanced cancer or during end-of-life care, narcotics are often the treatment of choice since risks of addiction are not a primary concern next to adequate pain control.
- Dental pain: Procedures like dental extractions, root canals, or oral surgery often leave patients with severe pain that responds well to narcotics for a few days.
- Migraines/headaches: For migraines or cluster headaches that do not respond to other treatments, narcotics may be tried on a short-term basis.
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