CDC issues opioid prescribing guidelines

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines on Tuesday that provide recommendations to primary care providers treating adults for chronic pain in outpatient settings. CDC said the guidelines are designed to curtail the harms associated with opioids, including overuse and addiction.

The guidelines address when physicians should start or continue prescribing opioids for chronic pain, and recommend the lowest possible effective dose should be prescribed. CDC also made recommendations on opioid selection, dosage, duration, and when and how to reassess progress and discontinue medication. Additionally, the guidelines focus on increasing use of other effective chronic pain treatments, including non-opioid drugs and physical therapy. ...