There are a number of nonopioid options, as well as nondrug options, for pain management, explained Jeff White, PharmD, MS, staff vice president, Anthem.
There are a number of nonopioid options, as well as nondrug options, for pain management, explained Jeff White, PharmD, MS, staff vice president, Anthem.
Transcript
What are some available nonopioid options to pain management?
There are a number of nonopioid options to pain management. It’s important to start with the evidence to understand the true clinical benefits and harms of therapy, and that will guide the alternatives. There’s a substantial amount of evidence to support nonopioid therapies. For example, there are the NSAIDS [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs], such as Motrin or Naprosyn. There are also antidepressants, there are also anticonvulsants such as gabapentin, and there’s other topical therapies, and many others to help treat pain.
It’s important to guide the therapy towards the type of pain for which there’s evidence to support use for that particular condition. There’s also a number of nondrug-related options to address and manage pain. For example, there’s physical therapy, there’s exercise and stretching, acupuncture, yoga, and a number of other evidence-based nondrug alternatives.
Are there any misconceptions about these alternatives?
A common misconception is that pain needs to be treated with an opioid when there’s limited evidence on the long-term safety and efficacy of opioid therapy. Whereas the nonopioid alternatives, there’s strong evidence to support long-term safety and efficacy of those drugs.
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen
Dr Michael Farwell on FDG PET/CT Imaging to Predict Immunotherapy Response in Advanced Melanoma
April 15th 2024Michael Farwell, MD, associate professor of radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, provides insights into a study on the benefits of using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging to detect metabolic tumor changes in skin cancer.
Read More
Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
Listen
Increasing Lp(a) Awareness for Better Cardiovascular Health: Dr Mary McGowan
March 24th 2024For Lp(a) Awareness Day, Mary McGowan, MD, FNLA, chief medical officer of the Family Heart Foundation, highlights how most people with elevated Lp(a) are completely unaware that they have this increased risk and calls for increased testing.
Read More