In the largest review of its kind, researchers at the University of Sydney have concluded that the risks of popular opioid painkillers frequently outweigh their benefits.
The analysis examined the efficiency of drugs like oxycodone, codeine, and morphine across 59 systematic reviews. It found that while these medications offer modest, short-term relief for some acute pain, they are often barely more effective than a placebo for conditions like kidney stones or post-limb surgery recovery.
Lead author Abdel Shaheed explained that oral opioids provided only slightly better relief than a placebo for acute musculoskeletal pain, a condition for which they are frequently prescribed. The study noted that any relief experienced typically lasted only a few hours.
Beyond limited efficacy, the review highlighted serious side effects. The team found strong associations with sickness, increased tolerance, misuse, and addiction. Dr. Stephanie Mathieson, a co-first author, stressed that patients must be informed of these potential harms and that doctors should prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.
The research challenges the long-held belief that opioids are the most effective "go-to" solution for acute pain. Data suggests 3% to 12% of people treated with opioids will develop an addiction with negative consequences. Experts recommend considering alternative therapies, including structured diet and exercise plans, for pain management.