Opioids: Prescribing Safely for Chronic Pain
If you’re taking prescription opioids, it’s important that you and your doctor discuss the medication thoroughly.
The U.S. is facing an opioid overdose epidemic. From 2005 to 2014, the number of opioid-related hospital stays in the U.S. rose 64 percent. And since 1999, the cases of unintentional overdose deaths that involve opioids have more than quadrupled.
Prescribing safely
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for providers, offering recommendations for prescribing opioids for chronic pain. Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than three months or goes beyond normal tissue healing time. The guidelines are designed to help curb abuse and stop the growing number of opioid-related hospitalizations and deaths from overdoses. The goal is also to help improve patient care through careful consideration of when and how these medications are prescribed.
The guidelines help providers determine when to start or continue prescribing opioids for chronic pain, except for people receiving active cancer treatment, palliative care or end-of-life care. It’s recommended that opioids be included with other treatments only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
When opioids are necessary, the guidelines suggest that doctors prescribe the lowest doses for the shortest amount of time. However, whether you’re being prescribed an opioid or another medication, make sure to ask your doctor questions about the new prescription.
So what can you do?
Be your own advocate. If your doctor prescribes a new medication, these questions may help you start a conversation with your doctor:
- Is this the right medication for me? Do I have other options?
- How long do you think I will need to take this medication?
- What are the potential side effects of this medication?
- Can I take this opioid if I have a history of addiction?
- What if I'm taking other medications?
- Is it okay to share this medication with others?
The CDC guidelines were developed to give patients access to safer treatments for chronic pain. But, as with any part of your care, it’s important that you talk with your doctor about treatment options, so you understand the risks and benefits for you.
By Lisa Stein, Contributing Editor
Sources
National Institute on Drug Abuse. What are opioids? Accessed March 12, 2018.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Opioids data analysis. Accessed March 12, 2018.
FDA. What to ask your doctor before taking opioids. Accessed March 12, 2018.
Last Updated October 20, 2017