Effective Pain Management

The speed of onset and duration of analgesics effect depends upon the specific drug(s), dosage form, and route of administration. Drug doses and frequency should be titrated to the individual patients response and analgesic needs when changing the dosage form or route of administration. Adjuvant drugs – including antihistamines and corticosteroids – are valuable during all phases of pain management to enhance pain relieve, treat concurrent symptoms, and counteract the side effects.

Successful long-term pain management requires rapid, flexible, and expert responses to the changing needs of the patient. Patients and their loved ones should never allow pain to continue amid concerns about “being a complainer, medication-related side effects, or fear of addiction or loss of control as a result of using pain medication. Patients with pain or other distressing symptoms that persist despite the best efforts of their current healthcare provider should request a referral or seek specialists in pain management or palliative care.

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