The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) releases updated draft guidelines for opioid prescribers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new draft guidelines for prescribing opioids. These changes will update the CDC's 2016 guidelines. The 2016 guidelines were controversial, with many pain experts and physicians arguing that the guidelines caused some physicians to unsafely taper patients or discontinue prescribing opioids without an appropriate alternative for patients in pain.
The proposed guidelines replace dose limits with suggestions that providers use their best judgment when dosing opioids. The guidelines still encourage providers to work with their patients to address pain control with non-opioid medications, exercise, and physical therapy when appropriate. Articles in MDedge and StatNews provide more information on the proposed changes.
Our practice tip, Medication Safety in the Office Practice, offers valuable information on setting up safe medication processes and patient education.