Opioids are widely used, and strong medications used to manage pain, especially in cases of severe or chronic pain. However, these drugs come with a range of side effects, and one of the more perplexing and troubling phenomena is called opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH).
This condition describes a paradoxical response where long-term opioid use can actually increase sensitivity to pain, leading to a worsened pain state rather than pain reduction, for which it was intended.
In this blog, we'll explore what opioid-induced hyperalgesia is, who is at risk, and how it can be managed effectively.