Abstract
Neuropathic pain had been considered a difficult condition to treat with opioid analgesics. But our clinical results indicated that postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a most familiar neuropathic pain to Pain-Clinicians, was relieved effectively by oral codeine medication. In several clinical investigations it was reported that oxycodone, morphine and other opioids had the equal or superior effect on PHN or neuropathic pain to other types of chronic pain. Although usefulness and safety of opioid analgesics is established in the treatment of acute pain and cancer pain, for practical control of neuropathic pain following considerations are required: 1) To administer the drug until sufficient pain relief attained, 2) To repeat patient compliance instruction until understanding of the drug reached, 3) To control acute pain of herpes zoster and nerve injury in the early stages.
