News Neuroscience

Morphine may make pain last longer

Rat study suggests further drawback to opioids

OxyContin

PAIN PILLS  Morphine treatment extended the duration of nerve pain in rats, a result that raises questions about the effects of other opioid-based painkillers, such as OxyContin.

ZUMA Press Inc./Alamy

By Laura Sanders

- More than 2 years ago

Painkillers in the opium family may actually make pain last longer. Morphine treatment after a nerve injury doubled the duration of pain in rats, scientists report the week of May 30 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.