The objective of a study was to standardize evidence-based local recommendations for pharmacological pain management in Qatar.

The study entailed a literature search for all relevant articles from Medline and Google Scholar databases – for developing the final pain treatment protocols by an expert panel of physicians with experience in diagnosis and treatment of acute, chronic, and neuropathic pain.

The recommendations followed three approaches for acute pain:

• For mild or moderate pain – acetaminophen/paracetamol or NSAIDs
• For severe pain – referral to a pain specialist
• For chronic pain – acetaminophen/paracetamol or NSAIDs
• For neuropathic pain – Pregabalin / Gabapentin / TCA or SSRIs

The use of opioids was strongly discouraged owing to the long-term side effects. Furthermore, non-responders were to be referred to neurologists or a pain specialist.

 These recommendations by the expert panel were based on international guidelines adapted to local practice and treatment availability in Qatar.