Intensity of Withdrawal Symptoms During Opioid Taper in Patients with Chronic Pain-Individualized or Fixed Starting Dosage?

Objective: Controlled opioid withdrawal is recommended for patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) with insufficient pain reduction or intolerable side effects while on opioid treatment. Few studies have investigated the management of opioid withdrawal (OW). Most common are protocols with an individualized starting dosage (ISD), calculated from the last opioid intake.