Medication News for Seniors With Chronic Pain

A new report from the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) states that opiods may be better than NSAIDs for controlling chronic pain in seniors. Opioids, such as codeine, differ from NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, in that they available by prescription only. They act on the nervous and musculoskeletal system in different ways, though both are effective in controlling chronic pain. So why is one better for seniors?

According the the AGS, NSAIDs have a higher probability for medication interactions, particularly with meds that control blood pressure and heart disease. Seniors who take NSAIDs regularly are also at a higher risk for gastrointestinal disorders, such as stomach and liver damage. The AGS feel that NSAIDs have too high a risk to be used to control chronic pain long-term in seniors.

Dont's worry: the AGS is not suggesting all seniors with chronic pain go out and get presciptions for morphine. Rather, they propose the use of low doses of opioids for long-term pain control. I wonder if it will change the ease of seniors managing their pain medication?