Paliatívna medicína a liečba bolesti 3/2010
Opioid treatment strategies
Opioid analgesic agents act at receptors within the central nervous system. There are well known three type of receptors and opioid drugs have differing affinities to them. Chronic opioid therapy can be an effective therapy for carefully selected and monitored patiens with chronic pain state. However the opioids are also associated with potentially serious adverse events. Optimally balancing benefits and risks of opioid therapy is depending on regular patient evaluation and structure of individual opioid management plan. Safe and effective opioid therapy requires clinical skills and knowledge.
Keywords: weak opioids, strong opioids, general recommendations, clinical recommendations.
