Three internists writing the editorial said pain physicians should let patients know about the limits of pain relief and recommend alternatives like physical therapy or yoga rather than prescribe these dangerous drugs.
The authors said 15-20 percent of patient visits with U.S. physicians include a prescription for an opioid, and the number of U.S. overdose deaths from use of such prescriptions is higher than heroin and cocaine combined.
Related Articles on Opioids for Pain Management:
Study: 3-Fold Rise in Opioid-Related Deaths; Countermeasures Suggested
Half of Patients Prescribed Opioids Still Taking Them Five Years Later
