The importance of non-opioid analgesics for cancer pain relief according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization.

In a retrospective study of 1070 cancer patients being treated according to guidelines of the World Health Organization during a period of 55,285 days, the importance, efficacy and side-effects of non-opioid analgesics were evaluated. The non-opioids were given alone on 6917 days and in combination with weak opioids on 15,253 days, with strong opioids on 24,246 days and with spinal opioids on 1008 days. In evaluating efficacy and safety, it was not possible to differentiate adequately between the effects of non-opioids, opioids and adjuvant drugs, but it was demonstrated that an adequate combination of these drugs was effective and safe in the treatment of cancer pain.