Treatment with opioids in chronic non-cancer pain: Recommendations for safe prescribing

Abstract

Prescription of opioids for chronic pain has increased in recent decades. However, issues arise about their long-term safety, abuse and opioid-associated aberrant behaviors that hinder clinical decision-making, thereby contributing to insufficient treatment of chronic pain. Several clinical practice guidelines have established different recommendations for monitoring patients receiving long-term opioid therapies, and screening tools have been recommended to identify those at high risk. Every physician should be aware of the tools available to identify those patients requiring opioid treatment and having a high risk of addictive behaviors, knowing how to detect and treat it without compromising the optimal management of pain in those patients who can benefit from correct use of opioids. We hereby review the main clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, recommendations and strategies to minimize the risks of opioids in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain.