title: Safe use of opioids in chronic noncancer pain.
abstract: Many physicians avoid prescribing opioid analgesics for chronic pain because of misconceptions or fears about efficacy, adverse effects, abuse, and addiction potential. We discuss these issues and offer suggestions for the rational use of opioid analgesics in patients with chronic noncancer pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain Management, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Teresa E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Dews
authors.forename: Nagy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mekhail
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid