The problem I have with this is that Opiates have been known to be highly addictive for how long?
I do feel like doctors should have questioned the notion that these drugs were completely safe.
I do feel like doctors should have questioned the notion that these drugs were completely safe.
But who else do we trust? These drugs have the government's approval (FDA) as being safe, and a very large cooperation who makes the drug says it's safe. Did I mention the FDA approved it? What's the alternative here? I know my family doctor can't just run his own studies with drugs, he'd never have the resources for that.
I only took them for less then 3 days - even that was longer then needed (not that I knew this, you don't know how painful the results of the surgery are until you stop the painkiller, which could cause incredible pain you are in pain (physically).
Let's say the doctor doesn't have many client complaints, reads journals and memos that promote opiates (this is called advertising, something J&J spent 3x more money on then research), it seems like there should be an independent organization that researches, tests (or validates studies), and validates the results and usage instructions. Oh wait that's the FDA job.
I want to emphasize my criticism of the FDA's current performance of what I believe their job is: to make sure that the drugs sold do what they say they do, don't cause serious side effects unless they are clearly listed, have dosages that do as they are supposed to (without purposely causing addiction).
They seem to be not addictive if used to treat short term pain for a few days. They seem to be strongly addictive, and ineffective to treat pain, if used for longer.