Opioid Alternative Medication and Clinical Dilemmas

Abstract

Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons for patients to seek medical care. There are numerous ways in which this pain can be addressed through medication. Chronic pain is difficult to treat as conditions that can cause pain are not uniform and cases are not always responsive to specific treatments. Currently, there is great interest in providing pharmaceutical analgesia without the use of opioid medications. Generally, pain can be divided into nociceptive and neuropathic. Within those categories, certain medications remain first line and have been shown to be effective with multiple studies. There are other less-established options that can be used as alternatives or adjuncts. The aim of this chapter is to provide examples of treatment options that have been supported by research and evidence, as well as to highlight options that are emerging.