title: Opioids in palliative care: the NICE guidance.
abstract: Many life-limiting and progressive disorders require effective pain-management strategies. The use of opioids is one facet of pain management and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Clinical has produced guidance on this. One of the primary messages from the guideline is the need for careful assessment and excellent communication. This article discusses the various recommendations included in the guideline, covering issues of correct dosage, understanding patients' expectations and fears, ongoing monitoring and management of the side-effects associated with opioids.
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham.
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Swift
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine