Statement of clarification on the latest NICE chronic pain guidance; regarding patients already on medication (22 April 2021)

Summary

NICE guidance on the management of chronic pain no longer recommends the initiation of many medications (e.g. NSAID’s, gabapentinoids etc) for primary chronic pain. However, there are many patients in the community who are already using these medications and it is important that when implementing this guideline, the recommendations are not used out of context. 

This joint statement aims to provide information that will help doctors and patients when reviewing medications.