Patients taking prescription opioids to manage pain are at a heightened risk of developing opioid use disorder (OUD). This innate risk needs to be vigilantly monitored by health care providers (HCPs) and strategies must be in place to engage patients in treatment when OUD is confirmed. HCPs should be aware of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ (DSM-5) criteria for the diagnosis of OUD as well as the risk factors and available risk assessments for OUD. Long-term exposure to opioid therapy causes psychological and neurological changes and practical guidance for safe and thoughtful tapering must be executed slowly to ensure patients’ safety. Additionally, clinicians must be up to date on naloxone prescribing regulations as well as community resources for the psychosocial treatment of OUD.
In this fourth and final installment of a REMS BriefCase series on pain management faculty will discuss the importance of recognizing the signs of OUD and how to intervene if red flags do appear. It is vital that clinicians prescribing opioids monitor their patients closely for OUD and are equipped with the tools needed to safely treat the disorder.
At the end of this CME/CE activity, participants should be able to utilize the DSM-5 criteria to identify and diagnose opioid use disorder (OUD) in patients prescribed opioids for acute and chronic pain. Develop strategies for engaging patients in treatment for OUD.
This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from the Opioid Analgesic REMS Program Companies.
Please click here for a listing of REMS Program Companies. This activity is intended to be fully compliant with the Opioid Analgesic REMS education requirements issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Physicians, surgeons, dentists, physician associates (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), nurse practitioners, and pharmacists
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Dr. Weimer reports the following financial relationships: Consultant: CVS Health and Path CCM, Inc.
Dr. Potru reports no financial relationships to disclose.
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