Which type of drug is commonly used to treat chronic pain?

Opioids are commonly used to treat chronic pain due to their effectiveness in managing moderate to severe pain, which may not respond adequately to other medications. They work by binding to specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord to inhibit pain signaling, thereby providing significant relief for patients suffering from conditions like cancer pain, post-surgical pain, or severe back pain.

While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants can also play a role in pain management, especially for inflammatory conditions or muscular issues, opioids are often prescribed when pain is unmanageable with these alternatives. Antidepressants may be useful for certain types of pain, particularly neuropathic pain, but they are typically not the first-line treatment for chronic pain in general.

Therefore, opioids are a primary choice for many patients experiencing chronic pain due to their strong analgesic properties and direct action on pain pathways.