Use of opioids in the treatment of severe pain in terminally ill patients--dying should not be painful.
Pain is a common symptom at the end of life. The vast majority of pain can be readily managed if simple principles of practice are followed. Chronic pain requires continuous analgesia, and severe pain requires use of strong analgesics, most commonly the opioids. In addition to drugs administered continually, short-acting medications must be available for "breakthrough" pain. This article reviews the principles of pain management in terminally ill patients, using a case-based demonstration.
Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA. moynihan.timothy@mayo.edu
Timothy J
TJ
Moynihan
D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms; D013727:Terminal Care
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine