Scientists in the US have discovered a painkiller that seems to work just as well as morphine – but without its potentially lethal side effects. The chemical compound PZM21, which has so far only been tested on mice, appears to target the same pain-reducing brain receptors as opium-derived painkillers such as morphine, but is more selective: as a result it does not seem to cause the potentially lethal breathing problems, or the constipation, associated with morphine. Moreover, based on assessments of how the mice moved after taking it, the researchers conclude that PZM21 causes less activation of the brain’s reward system, indicating that unlike morphine, it may not be addictive. Scientists hailed the study as “very exciting”. However, the research is in its early stages: the compound has yet to be shown to be safe and effective on humans. (The Week)

It is not a new development, but a welcome one nonetheless. Surgeons doing shoulder, hip, or similar surgery now no longer use morphine in the traditional way. Instead, they inject painkiller into the back. This was a development pioneered in California, and now used everywhere for after-surgery pain. You can simply walk out of hospital painless a couple of hours after the operation. Brilliant! I mention it because after I had surgery years ago I was given morphine, which is a horrible drug, for the reasons mentioned above. It also needs a lot of patience to stop using.

It’s good to report these advances in drug development and patient care. It makes life so much more pleasant and allows you to resume it with enthusiasm.