s First Watch for February 11, 2009
Guidelines on Opioids in Noncancer Pain Issued
Guidelines on the use of opioids in treating chronic noncancer
pain have been issued by the American
Pain Society and the American Academy of Pain Medicine.
Among the 25 recommendations, appearing in the Journal of Pain:
Before starting chronic opioid therapy (COT), physicians should perform a history and physical exam and should assess the patient's risk for substance abuse.