Relief may be just around the corner for those suffering from chronic pain, one of the most common health problems experienced by people in the UK.

Painkillers in the British market are often associated with a number of unpleasant side effects, including constipation and vomiting. However, a new drug that is believed to cause fewer side effects, called Palexia, is set to become available to doctors today.

In a recent trial, it was found that while two-thirds of elderly patients using oxycodone suffered nausea, vomiting or constipation, less than half of those on Palexia experienced these side effects. At the same time, Palexia’s ability to dull pain remains comparable with other commonly prescribed opiate-based painkillers.

This may be excellent news for up to 7.8 million people who suffer from chronic pain in Britain.

Prof Richard Langford, a consultant anaesthetist at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, also seemed please with the results.

With some pain medications, the side effects may be so severe that patients may prefer to live with that pain rather than deal with the unpleasant effects.

However, due to the fewer side effects, Langford predicted that Palexia would enable more patients "to stay on treatment for longer which can only improve their quality of life”.