Pain is a common medical problem, and relief of pain is an importanttherapeutic goal. Although nonpharmacologic approaches to treatingpain (e.g., behavioral techniques) show promise for certainconditions, pain is most commonly treated with analgesics. Overthe past decade, there have been growing concerns about theharm — abuse and addiction, as well as serious injuryand death — caused by the use of prescription and over-the-counteranalgesics. These concerns have emerged in parallel with theevolving understanding of the importance of pain managementin medical care. We at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)have been engaging physicians, . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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From the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD.
