Information for the public
Managing pain with strong opioids
Managing pain with strong opioids
Some treatments may not be suitable for you, depending on your exact circumstances. If you have questions about specific treatments and options, please talk to a member of your healthcare team.
People who are living with advanced, progressive diseases (such as advanced cancer, heart disease, liver disease, lung disease, kidney disease, HIV and some diseases of the nervous system) may need strong medication to alleviate their pain when other types of pain relief do not help. Strong opioids, such as morphine, may be used to treat pain in these circumstances.
If you have an advanced, progressive disease and you experience pain that is not controlled with usual painkillers, you may be offered strong opioids as part of your palliative care. Palliative care means alleviating pain and discomfort to improve a person's quality of life when it is not possible to cure their disease.