Kidney stone formers are no stranger to the intense pain that these stones can cause! Updates to pain management protocols, driven by the ongoing opioid crisis, have sparked a fresh debate: Are opioids truly the most effective pain relief option for kidney stones?

Recent studies suggest that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be just as effective as opioids for kidney stone pain relief. In addition, NSAIDs may even offer advantages such as reduced instances of vomiting and a lesser need for rescue treatments.