AI Article Synopsis
- The opioid overdose crisis has prompted reduced prescribing, but tapering off opioids can lead to withdrawal, increased pain, and mental health issues.
- A case report details a 57-year-old man who successfully stopped using high-dose opioids after more than 20 years via shared decision-making and a patient-guided taper schedule.
- The case demonstrates effective strategies for safely tapering opioids, beneficial for both patients and healthcare providers.
Article Abstract
Because of the opioid overdose epidemic, over the past decade, efforts have been made to reduce opioid prescribing. However, tapering patients off their chronic opioid medications can lead to opioid withdrawal and increased chronic pain, use of illicit opioids, mental health crisis, and opioid overdose. Strategies for safely tapering opioids are needed because of these risks. This case report describes a 57-year-old male suffering from chronic back pain who had been on high-dose opioids for over 20 years. Using shared decision-making, a simple pain assessment tool, and a patient-guided taper schedule, he was able to taper off his opioids completely. This case highlights a successful opioid taper and presents simple strategies that can be used by patients and clinicians who are working to reduce chronic high-dose opioid use.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8599464 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.18892 | DOI Listing |
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