Skip to main content

Main menu

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • Other Publications
    • abfm

User menu

Search

  • Advanced search
American Board of Family Medicine
  • Other Publications
    • abfm
American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

Advanced Search

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • JABFM on Bluesky
  • JABFM On Facebook
  • JABFM On Twitter
  • JABFM On YouTube
Research ArticleMedical Practice

Using Opioid Analgesics to Manage Chronic Noncancer Pain in Primary Care

Tom Parrott
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice July 1999, 12 (4) 293-306; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.12.4.293
Tom Parrott
From the White River Family Practice, White River Junction, Vermont. Address reprint requests to Tom Parrott, MD, 331 Olcott Dr, White RiverJunction, VT 05001
MD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

This article has a correction. Please see:

  • Correction - September 01, 1999

Abstract

Background: Opioid analgesics have been considered the drugs of choice for the treatment of moderate to severe cancer and postoperative pain. Cultural attitudes and concerns about abuse have inhibited their use for a larger population of patients who have chronic noncancer pain.

Methods: Medical literature was searched from 1990 to 1998 using the key words “opioid analgesics,” “opioid abuse,” and “chronic pain.” I have also drawn from more than 20 years of experience prescribing opioid analgesics for chronic pain. A case series analysis of 30 patients using opioid analgesics for periods ranging from 6 months to 17 years was performed.

Results and Conclusions: The World Health Organization has published a “three-step ladder” guide to treatment of cancer pain graded from mild to severe; this guide can be readily applied to the treatment of pain from all sources. Opioid analgesics are the mainstay of treatment for moderate to severe pain. Chronic pain patients offer some difficult challenges for busy primary care physicians. The unique pharmacologic characteristics of opioid medications are important in outpatient management. A four-sheet office management protocol helps to focus efficiently on important clinical issues related to pain control, to monitor for opiate abuse, and to incorporate pain management more effectively in the overall primary care plan of the patient.

PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

The Journal of the American Board of Family     Practice: 12 (4)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
Vol. 12, Issue 4
1 Jul 1999
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • Index by author
  • Front Matter (PDF)
  • Back Matter (PDF)
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Board of Family Medicine.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Using Opioid Analgesics to Manage Chronic Noncancer Pain in Primary Care
(Your Name) has sent you a message from American Board of Family Medicine
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Board of Family Medicine web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
4 + 0 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
Citation Tools
Using Opioid Analgesics to Manage Chronic Noncancer Pain in Primary Care
Tom Parrott
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Jul 1999, 12 (4) 293-306; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.12.4.293

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Using Opioid Analgesics to Manage Chronic Noncancer Pain in Primary Care
Tom Parrott
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Jul 1999, 12 (4) 293-306; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.12.4.293
Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Jump to section

  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • Correction
  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Nontraumatic Rhabdomyolysis with Long-Term Alcohol Intoxication
  • Cough as the Presenting Symptom of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
  • Vasa Previa Diagnosis and Management
Show more Medical Practice

Similar Articles

Navigate

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues

Authors & Reviewers

  • Info For Authors
  • Info For Reviewers
  • Submit A Manuscript/Review

Other Services

  • Get Email Alerts
  • Classifieds
  • Reprints and Permissions

Other Resources

  • Forms
  • Contact Us
  • ABFM News

© 2025 American Board of Family Medicine

Powered by HighWire