If you want the full study ^

The Key Points:

Question Is the use of opioids to treat chronic noncancer pain associated with greater benefits or harms compared with placebo and alternative analgesics?

Findings In this meta-analysis that included 96 randomized clinical trials and 26 169 patients with chronic noncancer pain, the use of opioids compared with placebo was associated with significantly less pain (−0.69 cm on a 10-cm scale) and significantly improved physical functioning (2.04 of 100 points), but the magnitude of the association was small. Opioid use was significantly associated with increased risk of vomiting.

Meaning Opioids may provide benefit for chronic noncancer pain, but the magnitude is likely to be small.

I'm currently working on a project to eliminate the use or at least drastically reduce it in dental procedures.

Opioids vs Synthetic Cannabinoids

Low-quality evidence from 1 crossover trial suggested no difference

between opioids and nabilone for pain relief (73 patients;

mean difference, −0.13 cm [95% CI, −1.04 to 0.77 cm]

on the 10-cmVAS for pain, P = .77) or physical functioning (71

patients; mean difference, −1.2 points [95% CI, −4.50 to 2.10

points] on the 100-point SF-36 physical component score,

P = .48; eTable 12 in Supplement 2).

I think MMJ has merit but is being held up as more than it is. I'm currently personally dealing with something where hypothetically speaking MMJ may prove useful. I can neither confirm or deny that from firs hand knowledge. :)

Edit: I don't really see anything on MJ and haven't seen anything that caught my eye as solid enough for me. That does not mean no. That means maybe. I'm pro MJ however.

This study caught my eye.

But, my reaction is 'really???'

I have only had prescribed opiates twice in my life.... once was Tylenol 3 after dental work, the other for kidney stone pain....both times, the effectiveness bordered on spectacular, in my mind....near 100% pain relief with little side effects beyond drowsiness. Now, this is extremely small sample size, but I think different, subjective pain levels, from different causes in different people makes such studies extremely problematic for useful extrapolations or conclusions. Even if you buy into a study 100%, you can't deny that certain opiates still might be right answer for certain people in certain controlled situations

I honestly believe the use of opioids is not really appropriate for anything other than some cancers, end of life and I've been convinced (in here) some emergency and surgical situations (mostly in hospital). Not for chronic pain.

But you are right about the difficulty measuring something like pain.

I've seen a lot of these studies.... this one seems to be pretty solid. Time will tell.

I like most dentists, but hate Novocaine. Rather the pain than the after effects.

Then again, I can't say what might have happened if I took it more than 2-3 days

I like taking propofol mid fap session and see if I can finish before I pass out.

well......Can you???[gonzo]

looks like he passed out in mid-paragraph

Not to mention the fact that the longer one uses opioids to treat pain, the higher the therapeutic dose becomes. Higher doses also encourage use of laxatives. No matter how you figure it, it’s still a crapshoot.

Your new project BLOWS...

I LIKE MY OLD DENTAL OXY INVENTORY....

Quit your job and leave good prescribing dentists alone...

DRAFTERX agrees with me.