IL DOLORE, GLI OPPIACEI E I PROBLEMI NEL LORO USO | Istituto Lombardo - Accademia di Scienze e Lettere - Incontri di Studio

Several reasons recently lead to a dramatic increase in the use of opiate analgesics all over the world. Italy has always been a Country where opiates were prescribed less than in other Countries, even those incorrectly called “under-developed Countries”. The reason has to be searched in cultural, regulatory (detention, transport) factors, as well in the caution of practitioners for the side effects of opiates or the fear of inducing addiction. Recently rules have become easier also in Italy and here, aswell as abroad, mainly in the United States, the use of opiates has been rapidly increasing. However, the enthusiasm was followed by several serious doubts that are prompting a reversal of this trend. At present, the suggestion is to use opiates, but to pay a lot of attention to when use them and in which patients. Moreover, this “social” caution, was matched by the observation of a number of problems before unknown that make the use of opiates more difficult than it was previously thought