A modern analgesics pain 'pyramid'

• Published in: Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 4 - 6
• Main Authors: Raffa, R. B., Pergolizzi Jr, J. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2014; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Analgesics - therapeutic use; Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use; guideline; Humans; Pain - drug therapy; pain management; Pain Measurement - methods; treatment algorithm; World Health Organization; world health organization analgesic ladder; world health organization analgesic ladder; treatment algorithm; pain management; guideline
• ISSN: 0269-4727; 1365-2710
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12110

Summary What is known and objective In an effort to provide guidance for the use of analgesics for pain management – while at the same time acknowledging the professional, patient and regulatory–legal concerns about the use of strong opioids – the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1986 suggested a conservative stepwise approach. In addition to the use of non‐pharmacologic measures, the WHO recommended that pharmacotherapy be initiated using a non‐opioid analgesic first and then progress through ‘weak’ opioids or analgesic combinations to ‘strong’ opioids if, and only if, needed. This approach gave a rationale, and a justification if necessary, for the use of opioids. This stepwise approach became widely known as the WHO analgesic ‘ladder’. Comment Since the initial WHO guidance, there have been significant changes in the understanding of pain. It is increasingly considered a physiological process that merits and deserves independent treatment. In addition, more analgesic options are available now than in 1986. What is new and conclusion Because of the evolving understanding of the physiology of pain and better approaches to its management, we suggest that more modern best practice is an analgesic ‘pyramid’. The initial 1986 WHO analgesics guidance ‘ladder’ was set forth in 1986. We suggest that more modern best practice is an analgesic ‘pyramid’. This update reflects advances made in understanding the (patho)physiology of pain, provides clinical flexibility and a patient‐individualized care strategy to achieve better pain management.