Comments for Consumers
This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.
Australian Prescriber Vol. 25 No. 1 2002
Does pethidine still have a place in therapy?
Pethidine is a very powerful painkiller. It is used to relieve pain when people have operations.
Although pethidine works well it should not be taken for very long. People can become addicted to pethidine.
Patients who have long-term problems like backache should not be treated with pethidine. They may need treatment with other drugs or different therapies to stop the pain. Special clinics and programs can often help these people to manage their pain without taking pethidine. These programs may involve a range of specialists including psychologists and physiotherapists.
Sometimes pethidine has been used to treat the severe headaches of migraine. This is no longer the correct treatment.
