Study: Opioids May Be Option for Some in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

Opioids -- controlled drugs or narcotics most often prescribed for the
management of pain -- may be an option for managing the pain of rheumatoid arthritis for elderly people who have failed to respond to other pain drugs, according to a study reported in Drugs & Aging.

Previous clinical trials have extended the scientific basis for opioids to be used in patients with osteoarthritis, according to the researchers. However, no clinical trials have yet examined the effectiveness, benefits and risks of opioids in treating rheumatoid arthritis pain.

According to the researchers at the University of Erlangen-Nurnberg in Germany, additional treatment options for pain are needed for elderly rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Opioids act by attaching to proteins called opioid receptors that are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. When these drugs attach to certain opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, they can effectively block the transmission of pain messages to the brain.

A number of studies have shown that properly managed, use of opioid analgesic drugs is safe and taken exactly as prescribed, opioids can be used to manage pain effectively.

To deal with potential problems, the researchers suggest lower initial opioid dosages, prolonged intervals between dosages and slower titrations of doses. They also suggested the careful monitoring of kidney function and the timely use of laxatives.

Drugs & Aging. 2003;20(8):571-83