You'll hear debate about when and how to taper chronic opioids.
CDC experts say that some opioid policies, such as from payers or states, go beyond the guidelines...leading to unintended consequences.
For example, CDC discourages increasing opioid doses to 90 morphine milligram equivalents (MME)/day or more...for chronic noncancer pain. But this doesn't mean forcing tapers or suddenly stopping high opioid doses.
And FDA will now require tapering guidance in opioid labels...due to concerns that abruptly stopping is leading to illicit use or even suicide.
Identify patients where opioid risks exceed benefits...those on high doses, with side effects, etc. Help them buy in to a slow taper.
Ask patients how well their chronic opioid is working. Educate that the goal is not complete pain relief...but to improve pain AND function.
Discuss opioid downsides...cognitive slowing, constipation, etc. Patients may not realize chronic use can cause hyperalgesia...or low hormone levels and reduced libido or energy.
Evidence suggests tapering to lower doses improves quality of life and function...and pain doesn't usually worsen. In fact, it may improve.
Emphasize alternatives...non-opioids, physical therapy, etc.
Reassure that any withdrawal symptoms are minimal and manageable with a slow taper...which can be further slowed or paused if needed. Plus symptoms can be eased with other meds...loperamide, clonidine, etc.
Individualize tapers. For instance, reduce the daily opioid dose by about 10% every 1 to 2 weeks...or slower, such as monthly, if patients have been on opioids for years.
Provide lower-strength Rxs if needed for flexibility. For example, to taper morphine extended-release 120 mg/day, use 15 mg ER tabs...so one tab of the daily dose can be dropped at each step down.
Keep in mind, success may be settling on a lower opioid dose...some chronic pain patients will have trouble tapering completely off opioids.
Continue to evaluate patients for opioid use disorder...and consider medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone, etc.
Also provide naloxone for patients at risk of overdose.
Use our chart, Opioid Tapering: Tips for Success, for key talking points...and practical guidance for tapering and monitoring.
- N Engl J Med Published online Apr 24, 2019; doi:10.1056/NEJMp1904190
- Pain Med 2019;20(3):429-33
- Pain Med 2019;20(4):724-35
- Mayo Clin Proc 2015;90(6):828-42