Despite multiple problems associated with long-term use of narcotics for pain control addiction, abuse, nausea, and constipation they remain the best (and sometimes only) option for the millions of Americans that suffer from moderate-to-severe chronic pain.
Now, a study adds another problem to the list of liabilities associated with the use of opiate narcotics erectile dysfunction (ED).
A new study of 11,000 men published in the journal Spine concluded that men who took opiate painkillers in high doses over a long period of time experienced significant increases in ED as much as 50 percent for patients that took drugs such as oxycodone for longer than 4 months.
Although this sounds alarming, it should be noted that the so-called high doses were very high indeed 80 mg of oxycodone, the equivalent of 16 Percocets per day.
Even 20 percent of men taking lower doses over time experienced ED, although according to author Dr. Richard Deyo, of the Kaiser Permanante Center for Health Research at Oregon Health & Science University That could well be an underestimate, because many don t bring it to their doctors attention, would be embarrassed or wouldn t connect it to medication.
ACSH s Dr. Josh Bloom comments, Although this is a new development, it isn t really that surprising. Opiate narcotics are powerful central nervous system depressants, with multiple effects resulting from their action. Yet, they are the only tool in the box for management of serious pain. This is a seriously unmet medical need today.