Tough on Drugs

The use of a nicotine patch -- successfully used to help many smokers decrease their dependency on nicotine -- was shown to reduce pain in men after prostate removal surgery in a new anesthesiology study. While morphine and other opioids (narcotics) remain the most commonly prescribed post-operative pain medications, many patients fear the side effects from these drugs, which can include drowsiness, nausea, slowed breathing, vomiting, constipation, itching and dependence.

Posted on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200...190236.htm