The Centers for Disease Control says US doctors should not turn to painkillers to treat common forms of pain like backaches or arthritis, amid an epidemic of abuse and death tied to the drugs

Tuesday Mar 15th, 2016

Prescription painkillers should not be a first choice for treating common ailments like back pain and arthritis, according to new federal guidelines designed to reshape how doctors prescribe drugs like OxyContin and Vicodin.

Amid an epidemic of addiction and abuse tied to these powerful opioids drugs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging primary care doctors to try physical therapy, exercise and over-the-counter pain medications before turning to painkillers for chronic pain. Opioid drugs include medications like morphine and oxycodone as well as illegal narcotics like heroin.

Read more at: http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-03-15/cdc-guidelines-a...

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