Types of pain for which opioids may be prescribed

Opioid medications are often prescribed for a sudden, acute episode of pain that occurs after surgery or a traumatic injury, such as a broken (fractured) bone. Opioids are used for as short a period of time as possible in such cases — often, just a few days.

In addition, opioids offer an important treatment option for people with cancer-related pain. Studies indicate that up to one-third of cancer patients don't receive adequate pain treatment. People with poorly managed cancer pain are at increased risk of long and repeated hospital stays, of disruptions in their treatment schedule, and of difficulty managing the activities of daily living. Opioid treatment can play an important role in improving the lives of people with cancer.

In very select cases, opioids may also be the right choice for you if you're living with chronic, noncancer pain that hasn't responded well to other pain medications and affects your ability to function. Opioids can lead to long-term medical side effects, including making chronic pain more difficult to control. After a short trial of opioid treatment, your doctor will only continue prescribing these medications if regular checkups show the benefits outweigh the harm in your case.