WHO Pain Relief Ladder

The WHO Pain Relief Ladder is a guideline designed to help manage pain effectively, especially for cancer patients. It consists of three steps: 1. **Step 1** involves non-opioid medications (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) for mild pain. 2. **Step 2** adds weak opioids (like codeine) for moderate pain if Step 1 is insufficient. 3. **Step 3** involves strong opioids (like morphine) for severe pain. The ladder encourages a gradual approach, allowing adjustments based on pain level and effectiveness, ensuring patients receive appropriate relief while minimizing the risk of side effects.