Narcotics Use Common

ORLANDO—Hemodialysis patients frequently use narcotics for chronic pain, a study found. The study of 120 patients showed that 32 of them (26.7%) were receiving narcotics for chronic pain, with hydrocodone, propoxyphene, and oxycodone the most common medications.

Nephrologists were responsible for 41% of prescriptions. Arthritis was the most common cause of pain.

Findings were presented here at the 2008 Annual Dialysis Conference.

From the May 01, 2008 Issue of Renal and Urology News