Opioid Dose and Drug-Related Mortality in Patients With Nonmalignant Pain

Abstract

The use of opioid analgesics to treat chronic nonmalignant pain has become increasingly common over the past 20 years.^1-7 Prescribing patterns have recently shifted from short-acting combination products containing opioids with acetaminophen in favor of long-acting opioid formulations, particularly those including oxycodone, and the average daily dose of opioids has increased considerably.^1,2,8