The use of a nicotine patch successfully used to help many smokers decrease their dependency on nicotine was shown to reduce pain in men after prostate removal surgery in a new anesthesiology study.

Due to the side effects of common prescribed post-operative pain medications morphine and other opiods, many patients prefer to suffer the pain rather than take the medicine. The latest study has tried to put the possibility of using nicotine patches for relieving the pain from those situations. The patients who received the nicotine patch self-administered significantly less morphine in the postoperative period. In general, the nicotine patch was well-tolerated by patients, however, patients receiving nicotine reported higher levels of nausea.

Although further studies are still need for a more solid evidence, this may be a great breakthrough for those suffering from pain.