Abstract
Abstract This chapter discusses the specifics about major opioids (meperidine, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, methadone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil, remifentanil) in pain management and offers important insights into recent developments regarding their judicious use. Opioids have been among the most frequently prescribed class of medications in the United States since the 1990s and represent one of many therapeutic options to treat patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. However, their use in this patient population remains controversial. Widespread use has resulted in a public health care crisis due to the simultaneous increase in misuse, abuse, addiction, diversion, and overdose. To preserve legitimate access to these potent but potentially dangerous pain relievers, clinicians must employ tools to guard against diversion, misuse, and abuse. Consequently, numerous guidelines have been created by national and state pain societies and federal and regulatory agencies to educate clinicians on rational opioid prescribing.
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