title: Interventions in chronic pain management. 4. Medications in pain management.
abstract: This self-directed learning module, which highlights pharmacologic approaches in the management of chronic pain, focuses on both traditional and nontraditional medications. It is part of the study guide on interventions in chronic pain management in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article highlights medication concepts, including the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, opiate management of chronic pain, and neuropathic pain management; and it reviews some nontraditional approaches such as homeopathy and herbal remedies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To summarize pharmacologic approaches available for the management of chronic pain syndromes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia Campus, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. jerickse@hsc.vcu.edu
authors.forename: Jeffery J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ericksen
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Braverman
authors.forename: Rinoo V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D028321:Plant Preparations