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News: For Arthritis Pain, Nonopioid Drugs... (The New York Times) - Behind the headlines

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The New York Times March 7, 2018

For Arthritis Pain, Nonopioid Drugs Work as Well as Opioids (Published 2018)

by NICHOLAS BAKALAR

Opioids are no better than over-the-counter pain relievers for relief of arthritic back, hip or knee pain.

Read more at The New York Times

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PubMed articles

JAMA MARCH 6, 2018

Effect of Opioid vs Nonopioid Medications on Pain-Related Function in Patients With Chronic Back Pain or Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: The SPACE Randomized Clinical Trial

EE Krebs et al

Treatment with opioids was not superior to treatment with nonopioid medications for improving pain-related function over 12 months. Results do not support initiation of o …

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