Narcotics Often Prescribed For Back Pain But Efficacy Data Are Poor And Chances For Abuse High

A review of studies on use of narcotics for chronic back pain found that they are commonly prescribed and may help for short-term pain relief but that substance abuse disorders are common, occurring in up to 24 percent of cases (Review, p. 116). But many of the studies are of poor quality and none evaluated relief of pain lasting 16 weeks or longer.

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Tip sheet: Annals of Internal Medicine, Jan. 16, 2007, issue

NOTE: Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians.

Contact: Susan Anderson
American College of Physicians