Prescribing Opioids

Provides information about why primary care providers (PCPs) should adhere to prescribing guidelines for opioids. Includes statistics about prescribing practices, myths related to the use of opioids, and practices and actions PCPs should take.

Provides pharmacists with information about prescription opioid use in the United States, the role of pharmacists as part of the pain management team and in preventing opioid use disorder, and communication with patients.

Provides facts about the benefits of using PDMPs for prescribers, pharmacists, patients, and regulatory and law enforcement agencies.

Provides a high-level overview of clinical practice guidelines for management of chronic pain.

Provides guidance to State medical and osteopathic boards in assessing physician’s’ management of pain in their patients and whether opioid analgesics are being prescribed appropriately.

Provides an overview of chronic pain, including causes, diagnostic methods, and treatment options. Includes guidance on which questions patients should ask providers and where they can seek more information about chronic pain.

Provides recommendations for clinicians providing pain care, including those prescribing opioids, for outpatients aged ≥ 18 years. It updates the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain - United States, 2016.

Provides guidelines that can improve communication between providers and patients about the risks and benefits of opioid therapy for chronic pain, improve the safety and effectiveness of pain treatment, and reduce the risks associated with long-term opioid therapy, including opioid use disorder and overdose.

Assesses the evidence regarding the use and abuse of opioids by chronic noncancer pain patients to create a set of clinical practice guidelines for the responsible prescribing of opioids.

Provides clinical recommendations for initiating and maintaining chronic opioid therapy of 90 days or longer.