Dorothy E. Normile
MCPHS University, USA
Title: Managing Chronic Pain: Can Snake Venom Provide a Safe Alternative to Opioids for Chronic Pain?
Biography
Biography: Dorothy E. Normile
Abstract
Purpose: This review of the literature was done to assess the effectiveness of using medication prepared with snake venom when compared with opioids. Problem: The opioid crisis began in the late 1990s when drug companies informed the medical community that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers. With this reassurance, healthcare providers began to prescribe opioids at greater rates. This consequently led to extensive diversion and misuse of these medications. It soon became apparent that these medications were undeniably addicting. The opioid overdose rates began to rise (NIH, 2018). Methodology: A search of nursing and health related databases was done. These included Academic Search Premier, Cinahl, and Google Scholar. In addition, a search of websites the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Health (NIH) and The Journal of Nurse for Practioners (JNP) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were also accessed. Results: The evidence indicates the use of medication made from snake venom may be an effective method of pain management without the problems associated with opioids. However, there is still much work that need to be done in this area of research. Implications: Finding a better method to manage pain without opioids may have an impact on patients, their families and healthcare providers. Keywords: opioid crisis, snake venom for pain relief, opioids analgesics and side effects of opioids.