There are no scientific studies to show that this category of drugs works well with chronic pain. Even so, many patients seem better able to cope with chronic pain when treated with these drugs. Neither drug alone was as effective. There are side effects of the two drugs, however, such as dry mouth, constipation, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, visual disturbances, and bone marrow depression, a rare side effect from carbamazepine. While not a narcotic, steroids are another potent substance that relieve pain.
Steroids reduce inflammation, improve appetite, and improve general well-being.
Minor to serious side effects are possible from long-term steroid injections, however. Many doctors, until recently, have avoided prescribing narcotics for fear of side effects possibility of increased tolerance to the drug, and dependence or even addiction. One recent approach to chronic pain relief is injecting small doses of narcotics into the skin or spine to attack the pain near its source. This relief lasts longer and reduces some side effects such as respiratory or circulation problems. Still under investigation, but with promising early results, is a surgically implanted device that releases narcotics regularly into the body.