Opiod alternate for cancer pain

Cancer patients may have a new option for managing pain, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The non-addictive treatment is “plant-derived molecule resiniferatoxin (RTX).” A group of NIH researchers found the therapy to be “a safe and effective agent for pain control in patients with intractable cancer pain” after a clinical trial.

Participants received a single injection of RTX “and found that it reduced their reported worst pain intensity by 38% and their use of pain-relieving opioids by 57%.” They also reported better quality of life and being able to spend more time with loved ones.

The researchers hope RTX will be beneficial for other types of pain.

Read more at NIH