Why Can Opioids Be Harmful For Acute Back And Neck Pain?


Australian researchers are calling for an end to the use of opioid drugs for the treatment of acute back and neck pain after finding the pain-relieving medicines are no more effective than a placebo but have the potential to cause harm. Current guidelines recommend that for back pain, opioids, which are considered high-risk medicines due to their risk of misuse and dependency, only be used at the lowest dose for the shortest duration possible. But the University of Sydney team says the findings of their study, published recently in the leading medical journal The Lancet, are evidence that opioids should not be recommended at all. What are your thoughts LiveTribers? Why can opioids be harmful for acute back and neck pain?

Posted by on 24 Aug 2023

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  • [0] [0]
    Jessica

    Opioids are only a mask for pain they are not a solution. They become more and more problematic with the person who takes them because the person builds up a tolerance and requires more to get the analgesic effect. If the person is taking them over a long period of time, addiction and dependence becomes a problem leading to further issues such as respiratory depression , fatigue, altered conscious states, constipation, bowel obstruction, kidney and liver issues. Opioids don't fix a musculoskeletal issue, finding what caused the acute back pain and neck pain and then strengthening muscles/exercising, losing weight, using stretches and avoiding wrong body posture/position.

    Posted by Jessica on 31 May 2024
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  • [0] [0]
    Jenni

    I've never experienced back pain so I'm not sure I am best placed to answer this, however my general opinion on medication is that if you can find an alternative treatment - particularly for long term issues - it must be better for our health.

    Posted by Jenni on 08 Oct 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    HWY84

    I have multiple injuries which I suffered in my job, the last resulted in spinal surgery to my neck. Prior to the surgery I had left arm nerve pain and after the operation I had it in both arms. My entire spine causes me grief. Over the years I saw numerous Specialists and I ended up on Fentaynal Patches for 13 years. Back in February this year I had to go into Hospital to be detoxed off the Fentynal. The NSW Health Department decided you can't have Fentynal unless you have Cancer Pain, but if you have Nerve Pain it doesn't matter. I am now on a low doses of Norspan Patches and Oxynorm. Some days I just can't even get out of my own way. If you manage your opiates as directed by your Doctor you will never get into trouble, its only people who abuse the drugs that get into trouble.

    Posted by HWY84 on 08 Oct 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    LeafyGreen

    Better to fix the problem then cover it up with pain killers.Opiods are very dangerous drugs.More people die from opiod addiction than any other drug legal or illegal.

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 13 Sep 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    merryl

    Opioids can be harmful, but they are sometimes necessary to help people who cannot get pain relief with any other medication.

    Posted by merryl on 03 Sep 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Best Man

    I agree with you about the necessity and harm of opiods. Is there any law or regulations in Australia in relation to using opiods?

    Posted by Best Man on 09 Sep 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    vlee

    I had severe back pain when I was a young adult back in the 1970s. At the time the standard medication doctors would advise you to take was Panadeine Forte which contained the opioid codeine. At the time I thought it was helping me but I used to get a bit of a sore stomach. Years down the track it caused me to become allergic to things like flu tablets with codeine in them. I only discovered this one day when I took flu tablets and ended up with severe stomach pain and collapsed. I was taken to hospital and was told I can't take anything like that anymore. They also mentioned that they were getting a lot of people coming in due to similar symptoms.

    Posted by vlee on 01 Sep 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    cleveralex

    Better do your significant research beforehand

    Posted by cleveralex on 01 Sep 2023
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  • [0] [2]
    MS

    We should listen to the research. More government control over the medical authority's is needed. It's all about the money and not about patients and safety. And also the public should wise up as well. Shame on the doctors prescribing it.

    Posted by MS on 26 Aug 2023
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  • [2] [1]
    sulter

    Best not to become Opioid dependent if it can possibly be avoided.

    Posted by sulter on 25 Aug 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    mact

    Well read the bloody Lancet Report and reveal the truth,!!! Geez who serves up these topics?!!!

    Posted by mact on 24 Aug 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Who? Me?

    Until someone suffers sever back pain it is easy for them to suggest opioids shouldn't be used for pain relief. As someone who suffered a severe back injury some 40 years ago and even after several bouts of surgery still endure back pain every day, the non-opioid pain relief medication I am on does nothing to relieve the pain like opioids have. When you wonder some days WHY and wish to end the pain and have dark thoughts, opioids would be a godsend.

    Posted by Who? Me? on 24 Aug 2023
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  • [2] [1]
    coaster

    It is fine for people to say do not use these drugs to relieve sometimes excruciating pain but what are the alternatives. I have lived with back pain for 25 years and I do not take drugs unless I am just about crippled but sometimes they are a must just so I can cope. I found massages helped but as I am on a pension I cannot afford these and the government etc. will not prescribe or pay for this simple solution. So, what are the University of Sydney's team alternatives?

    Posted by coaster on 24 Aug 2023
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  • [2] [1]
    Muso58

    Long term use can creat dependency on these, more should be done to implement hemp oil as a pain relief program and lower the cost

    Posted by Muso58 on 24 Aug 2023
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  • [0] [1]
    ere

    After being on painkillers, including morphine patches for more than 1/2

    Posted by ere on 28 Aug 2023
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  • [0] [1]
    ere

    Of my life I call BS on the claim. Used as directed by a suitably qualified health care specialist these meds have minimal side effects and dependency issues. The alternative pain and suffering without pain killers is worse than any possible issues that may occur. Pain killers do work as proved by many thousands of people.

    Posted by ere on 28 Aug 2023
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