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Palliative cancer care - pain - Management
Which non-opioid drug should I prescribe?
- Paracetamol and/or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) are recommended first line.
- If an NSAID is appropriate and not contraindicated:
- Ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen are the NSAIDs of choice.
- The oral route is preferred, but if this is not possible, consider alternative routes (such as rectal).
- Consider prescribing a proton pump inhibitor with an NSAID. For more information on minimizing the risks associated with NSAID treatment, see the CKS topic on NSAIDs - prescribing issues.
- Non-opioid adjuvant drugs may also be useful for some people with specific pain types; see:
In depth
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