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Is It Safe To Use Pain Medications Inspite Of Their Side Effects?
My mother in law is 91 years old. She recently fell and sustained a minor crack in her pelvis. She is in severe pain. She is concerned about the side effects of pain medications such as oxycodone, particularly bleeding. Is this a serious risk? Does sev ere pain in an elderly patient justify this risk?
Mon, 7 Apr 2014
hi,
your question is a reasonable one. It is important to understand that the remote possibility of major side effects of conventional drugs should be weighed against the odds of suffering inflicted by not relieving the pain.
for most of the drugs, there are minor side effects, but the best policy is to try that drug and change it once side effects start or can not be tolerated.
As an example, the bleeding chances of oxycodeine is negligible and should not preclude using it for pain, irrespective of age.
Hope i am clear.
your question is a reasonable one. It is important to understand that the remote possibility of major side effects of conventional drugs should be weighed against the odds of suffering inflicted by not relieving the pain.
for most of the drugs, there are minor side effects, but the best policy is to try that drug and change it once side effects start or can not be tolerated.
As an example, the bleeding chances of oxycodeine is negligible and should not preclude using it for pain, irrespective of age.
Hope i am clear.
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