Enhanced warnings to painkiller medications will be added to prescription drug labels to inform patients of additional risks related to opioid use. On Tuesday, March 22, the Food and Drug Administration announced the changes that seek to combat a growing problem of opioid addiction. The labels of drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine will include more warnings and will advise people of risks including addiction, misuse, overdose, and death.

The FDA reported that it was reassessing its approach to opioid medications with the goal to curb the opioid epidemic in the U.S. while also making sure people are still getting pain relief.

© Oleg Dudko | Dreamstime.com

© Oleg Dudko | Dreamstime.com

The new warnings caution that prescription painkillers should be used only when necessary, and as a last resort. The warnings also note the risk of using opioids during pregnancy, which has been linked to opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) in newborns.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges doctors to take a conservative approach when prescribing painkillers and suggests patients be guided towards alternatives. At Aligned Modern Health, we offer a range of natural and alternative treatments that address pain without additional side-effects. Alternative treatments may compliment current prescriptions or assist patients who seek a holistic approach that is drug-free. Either way, our therapies promote the body’s self-healing process and may lessen the need for pain medication.

For many patients suffering from chronic pain, applying a “root cause”, Functional Medicine approach in conjunction with chiropractic care is crucial for reducing the systemic inflammation associated with long term pain.

Functional Medicine expert, Dr Hehmeyer of Aligned Modern Health states, “Determining and removing food sensitivities, consuming an anti-inflammatory diet and using targeted supplementation are key components of a holistic approach to reducing – and often eliminating – chronic pain.”

To learn more about alternative treatments to manage pain, visit us for more information or schedule a complimentary consultation.

   
X