Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Chronic pain has been recognized as a major worldwide health care problem. Today, medical experts and health agencies agree that chronic pain should be treated with the same priority as the disease that caused it, and patients should receive adequate pain relief. To achieve good analgesia, patient adherence to a prescribed pain treatment is of high importance. ⋯ Signs of tolerance, hyperalgesia, and drug abuse should be monitored as these may occur in some patients. An individualized treatment algorithm with a clear treatment goal and regular treatment reassessment is key for successful treatment. Long-acting opioids offer sustained pain relief over 24 hours with manageable side effects-they simplify treatment thereby supporting treatment adherence.