Pain Medicine Experts Recommend Safe and Responsible Use of Acetaminophen

GLENVIEW, Ill., July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the advisory committee's recommendations to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put new restrictions on acetaminophen this week, physician leaders from the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), have released the following statement:

        The American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), which represents the
        medical specialty of Pain Medicine, supports the safe and responsible
         use of acetaminophen both in over-the-counter and prescription
        medicines.  While there are risks associated with the misuse of
        acetaminophen, the benefits to patients suffering from both
        short-term and chronic pain are significant.

        The misuse and abuse of both over-the-counter and prescription
        medicines are significant social and medical problems that must be
        addressed responsibly.  But, the under-treatment of pain is also a
        longstanding and significant medical and social problem that also
        must be addressed responsibly.

        AAPM recognizes that analgesics that combine acetaminophen and an
        opioid do pose additional risk for patients with pain conditions
        that require doses of the opioid component for sufficient pain relief
         that exceed safe doses of the acetaminophen component.

        AAPM supports measures that reduce the risk of misuse and abuse of
         medications without deterring access to appropriate pain care for
        legitimate patients and the need for physicians to adhere to
        responsible analgesic prescribing practices. The Academy will
        continue to work towards these goals through advocacy, research,
        promotion of best clinical practices, and continuing medical
        education.

        AAPM, founded in 1983, is the recognized authority on the evaluation
         and care of patients with pain. It is a professional community of
        physicians with a sustained interest in pain disorders and their
        management, with a background in related specialties such as
        anesthesiology, internal medicine, neurology, neurosurgery,
        orthopedic surgery, physiatry, family practice, and psychiatry.

Leading researchers are available for comment through the American Academy of Pain Medicine by contacting Sue Thompson at 847 375 3686.

About the AAPM

For more than 25 years, the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) is the premiere medical specialty society representing more than 2,200 physicians practicing in the field of comprehensive pain medicine. The Academy is involved in education, training, advocacy and research in the specialty of pain medicine. Information is available on the practice of pain medicine at www.painmed.org.