Summary: As the public becomes increasingly aware of the availability of potent drugs for chronic pain relief, the number of patients seeking pain management is rising. Due to concern about addiction, fear of regulatory scrutiny, and lack of comfort level, many primary care clinicians are reluctant to prescribe opioids to patients who have chronic, non-cancer pain. There continues to be a need for alternative treatment options, specifically in patient populations with adherence challenges and those at particular risk for opioid abuse. In the past 20 years, a great deal of progress has been made in the treatment of severe chronic pain, including the use of analgesics via intrathecal delivery. In particular, non-opioid medications, delivered intrathecally may provide a compelling option for patients who either didn't respond well to their previous treatments or who are at-risk for opioid addiction/abuse. 0.5 CME Credits
