Thread by @fightpaindaily

Here are 6 recent studies & articles to show harms being caused by current push to de-prescribe opioids.

We need a diff policy approach to opioid rX. This seems to be causing more deaths & suffering than allowing stable patients to remain on long term opioid therapy.

#C50 1/?

Soon, I’ll share recent study about related harms of remaining on long term opioids - hint, they are no where near whats been claimed!

🎯In ~2 years after taper, of which the vast majority are provider initiated (forced?), all cause mortality is ~20%.

bit.ly/Tapers1

🎯Higher rates of suicidal ideation & suicidal violence are found in patients following tapers.

bit.ly/tapers2

🎯Rapid opioid taper, often due to policy pressures & rush to get doses below a specific & arbitrary threshold, can be detrimental in the long run.

bit.ly/tapers3

🎯Trends identified in tapers show more women than men are rapidly forced to taper. Majority of the tapers are far faster than CDC & HHS suggest.

bit.ly/tapers4

🎯More than 50% were suddenly discontinued & approximately 49% of those had an adverse opioid related health care event.

bit.ly/tapers5

🎯Tapers are associated with subsequent termination of care.

bit.ly/tapers6

Here is a power point that can be used to share and explain the dangers of current trends in opioid pain medication tapers.

bit.ly/TaperPP

It is time to shift the focus from de-prescribing, no matter the cost, to patient centered care where the patient has input!