[Non-opioid analgesics and co-analgesics in therapy of chronic pain]

Abstract

Efficacy and side effects of non-opioid-analgesics were analysed in a standardized review of placebo-controlled or double-blind studies. In rheumatoid arthritis, ibuprofen showed the best ratio of effectiveness and side-effects. Naproxen, diclofenac and meloxicam may serve as alternatives. In osteoarthritis, naproxen seems to be superior to diflunisal, meloxicam and diclofenac. In cancer pain, ibuprofen is the treatment of the first choice followed by naproxen and diclofenac. No sufficient data on non-opioids in neuropathic pain were available. The dose administered in the management of chronic pain should be low in order to reduce the incidence of side-effects. The frequency of side-effect-related discontinuation of chronic pain medication was calculated as follows: ibuprofen 3.8%, aspirin 4.7%, piroxicam 4.8%, naproxen 7.4%, meloxicam 13.0% and diclofenac 17.8%. Since differences in efficacy were not clinically relevant, the indication for a special non-opioid-analgesic medication should focus on the prevention of side-effects.