Non-opioid Management of Chronic Abdominal Pain

According to recent guidelines, opioids should be avoided in the treatment of chronic pain. Chronic abdominal pain is a challenge as analgesics may be ineffective, and an underlying cause is often difficult to discern. Emergency medicine providers should recognize the potential harm in treating chronic abdominal pain with opioids, including narcotic bowel syndrome, and be aware of the more common causes and their non-opioid treatment options.