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Navigating Chronic Pain: Overcoming Barriers and Avoiding
Pitfalls
Chris Herndon, PharmD, BCPS, CPE
Associate Professor
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Disclosures
• Consultant– Premier Research Collaborative
• Advisory Board– Endo
– Incline
Objectives
• Describe challenges to the successful management of chronic pain.
• Apply existing diagnostic recommendations and criteria to practice in the management of chronic pain.
• Develop strategies to minimize adverse effects associated with chronic pain treatment in different patient populations.
• Develop a monitoring plan aimed at streamlining therapeutic titration of chronic pain treatment in different patient populations.
Pain
• “An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage.” – IASP
• Sometimes referred to as the fifth vital sign
Pain is Prevalent
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Low Back Neck Knee Headache Shoulder Finger Hip
Age
adju
sted
rat
es o
f U
.S. ad
ults
re
port
ing
pain
in t
he la
st 3
mon
ths
CDC and NCHS. 2010. Health. United States, 2010. Chartbook, Special features on death and dying, Hyattsville, MD:CDC and NCHS.
Pain is Disabling
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
45.0%
Low Back Knee Headache Neck Shoulder Finger Hip
Basic Actions
Complex Activities
CDC and NCHS. 2010. Health. United States, 2010. Chartbook, Special features on death and dying, Hyattsville, MD:CDC and NCHS.
Exte
nt o
f pa
in-r
elat
ed d
isab
ility
am
ong
adul
ts
with
pai
n in
the
last
3 m
onth
s, U
nite
d St
ates
, 20
09
Pain is Increasing
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
All > 20 yrs 20‐44 yrs 45‐64 yrs > 65 yrs Men Women
99‐00
01‐02
03‐04
Tren
ds in
pai
n pr
eval
ence
, U
nite
d St
ates
, 19
99-2
004
CDC and NCHS. 2010. Health. United States, 2010. Chartbook, Special features on death and dying, Hyattsville, MD:CDC and NCHS.
Pain is a Chronic Problem
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
3 months to less than 1 year 1 year or more
20 years and over
20‐44 years
45‐64 years
65 years and over
Tren
ds in
pai
n pr
eval
ence
, U
nite
d St
ates
, 19
99-2
004
Institute of Medicine. Relieving pain in America: A blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research. http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/Relieving-Pain-in-America-A-Blueprint-for-Transforming-Prevention-Care-Education-Research.aspx. Accessed January 3, 2012.
Pain is Expensive
• Incremental health costs $261-300 billion annually
• Cost of lost productivity $297-336 billion annually
• Estimated total cost $560-635 billion annually
Institute of Medicine. Relieving pain in America: A blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research. http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/Relieving-Pain-in-America-A-Blueprint-for-Transforming-Prevention-Care-Education-Research.aspx. Accessed January 3, 2012.
The Challenge in Treatment
Untreated or undertreated
pain
Overdose, abuse,
diversion
Unintentional Drug Poisoning in the United States, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2010.
Balancing Analgesic Risk and Access
1. CDC. Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers—United States, 1999-2008. MMWR 2011; 60: 1-6.2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: volume
1: summary of national findings. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies; 2011.
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Drug Abuse Warning Network: selected tables of national estimates of drug-related emergency department visits. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, SAMHSA; 2010.
A Public Health Crisis
Combination medication abuse
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (December 13,2012). The TEDS Report: Admissions Reporting Benzodiazepine and Narcotic Pain Reliever Abuse at Treatment Entry. Rockville, MD.
Challenging Definitions
• Addiction– Misuse, abuse, diversion
• Dependence• Tolerance• Pseudoaddiction
any recurrent activity which results in negative outcomes to health,
social, or professional relationships. The addicted individual is aware of these outcomes yet continues the
activity
Dependence
• Addiction• Dependence• Tolerance• Pseudoaddiction
a physiologic, receptor response to an exogenous substance and the result from removing that
substance
Tolerance
• Addiction• Dependence• Tolerance• Pseudoaddiction
needing higher doses to elicit the same response (analgesia
vs. euphoria)
Pseudoaddiction
• Addiction• Dependence• Tolerance• Pseudoaddiction
exhibiting aberrant or addicted behaviors due to undertreatment
of a legitimate pain syndrome
Types of Pain
• < 30 Days • > 90 Days
Acute Chronic
Neuropathic - Diabetic neuropathy, post-herpaticneuralgia
Musculoskeletal – Chronic lower back pain, myofascial
Inflammatory- infection, Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, mixed connective tissue disease
Mechanical Pain – renal calculi, tumor mass
Can have > 1 type of pain at the same time!!
Subjective Pain Assessment - OLDCARTS
OnsetLocationDurationCharacteristic of symptomsAggravating factorsRelieving factorsTimingSeverity
Pain Characteristics– Dull
– Achy
– Tight
– Pressure
– Tingling
– Radiating
– Throbbing
– Shooting
– Stabbing
– Cramping
– Gnawing
– Hot or burning
– Heavy
What would you use to make me feel the same pain?
Palliative and Temporal Relationships
• Movement
• Rest
• Hot/Cold
• Movement
• Rest
• Hot/Cold
• OTC Medications
Aggravating Factors Relieving Factors
HPI - OLDCARTS
• Severity– Pain Scales
• Use same scale at each patient encounter and DOCUMENT at each visit
Wong-Baker Faces Rating Scale
• Preferred in children > 3 years of age
CRIES Scale (0 - 6 months of age)
Crying - Characteristic cry of pain is high pitched. 0 – No cry or cry that is not high-pitched
1 - Cry high pitched but baby is easily consolable
2 - Cry high pitched but baby is inconsolable
Requires O2 for SaO2< 95% - Babies experiencing pain manifest decreased oxygenation.
0 – No oxygen required
1 – < 30% oxygen required
2 – > 30% oxygen required
Increased vital signs (BP* and HR*) - Take BP last as this may awaken child making other assessments difficult
0 – Both HR and BP unchanged or less than baseline
1 – HR or BP increased but increase in < 20% of baseline
2 – HR or BP is increased > 20% over baseline.
CRIES Scale (0 -6 months of age) CONTINUED
Expression - The facial expression most often associated with pain is a grimace. A grimace may be characterized by brow lowering, eyes squeezed shut, deepening naso-labial furrow, or open lips and mouth.
0 – No grimace present
1 – Grimace alone is present
2 – Grimace and non-cry vocalization grunt is present
Sleepless - Scored based upon the infant’s state during the
hour preceding this recorded score.0 – Child has been continuously asleep
1 – Child has awakened at frequent intervals
2 – Child has been awake constantly
FLACC Scale (2 months – 7 years of age)
Face0 - No particular expression or smile 1 - Occasional grimace or frown, withdrawn, disinterested 2 - Frequent to constant quivering chin, clenched jawLegs0 – Normal position or relaxed 1 – Uneasy, restless, tense 2 – Kicking, or legs drawn upActivity 0 – Lying quietly, normal position, moves easily 1 – Squirming, shifting back and forth, tense 2 – Arched, rigid or jerkingCry 0 – No cry (awake or asleep) 1 – Moans or whimpers; occasional complaint 2 - Crying steadily, screams or sobs, frequent complaintsConsolability0 – Content, relaxed 1 – Reassured by occasional touching, hugging or being talked to, distractible2 – Difficult to console or comfort
Comfort Scale
• Used in adults and children in critical care setting or operative setting who cannot use other pain scale
• Assesses– Alertness– Calmness– Respiratory Distress– Crying– Physical Movement– Muscle Tone– Facial Tension– Blood Pressure/Hear Rate
Other Pain Assessment Scales
• McGill Pain Questionnaire– Very Long
– Used in specialty pain clinics
• Brief Pain Inventory
Common Co-morbidities
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Obesity
Considerations during workup
• Imaging– Is it warranted?
– Do symptoms correlate with imaging findings?
• Testing– Consider TSH, 25-OHD, RPR (regional),
Magnesium, B12, A1c
– CRP, anti-CCP, ANA, EBV, Lyme’s titer
• Physical assessment– Reliability of findings
– Waddell’s signs
Challenging chronic pain syndromes
• Chronic low back pain
• Neuropathic spectrum– Radiculopathy
– Diabetic neuropathy
– Post herpetic neuralgia
• Fibromyalgia
• Spinal cord injury pain
• Central post-stroke pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Acute on chronic post-surgical pain
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
CLBP OA PDN FMS RA
Prev
alen
ce, U
S po
p.National Center for Health Statistics; Health, United States, 2007. With Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans; Hyattsville, MD: 2007
Non-pharmacologic treatment approaches
• Education– Expectations and lifestyle modifications
• Therapy– Physical therapy
– Occupational therapy
– Osteopathic / chiropractic manipulation
• Counseling– Cognitive behavioral therapy
– Coping strategies and catastrophizing
– Biofeedback, guided imagery
Pharmacologic treatment approaches
• Non-opioid and adjuvant analgesics– Acetaminophen
– NSAIDs
– Anticonvulsants
– Antidepressants
– Anesthetics (lidocaine, mexiletine)
– Skeletal muscle relaxants
– Other neuromodulators
• Opioids
Watkins et al. JAMA 2006:296:87-93.
N=145; OR 2.78 (1.47-4.09); p< 0.001
How safe is acetaminophen?
NSAIDsNon-acetylated
salicylatesPropionic
acidsAcetic acids Enolic acids Other
DiflunisalCholine Mg TrisalicylateSalsalate
IbuprofenNaproxenKetoprofenFlurbiprofenOxaprozin
DiclofenacEtodolacTolmetinSulindacIndomethacinKetorolac
MeloxicamPiroxicam
MeclofenamateMefenamic acidNabumetoneCelecoxib
Table adapted from Lexi-Drugs Online. www.uptodate.com. Accessed June 26, 2012.Antman EM, et al. Circulation. 2007.
• GI Bleed Risk Factors– Prior peptic ulcer disease– Prior NSAID GI complication– Advanced age– Concurrent corticosteroid or
anticoagulant use– High doses of NSAIDs– Combinations of NSAIDs– ? Combination with SSRI
antidepressants
• Prevention– Eradication of H. Pylori– Proton Pump Inhibitors or
Misoprostol
Antidepressants and Anticonvulsants
Antidepressants• Tricyclic antidepressants
– Amitriptyline
– Nortriptyline
– Desipramine
• 5HT / NE Reuptake Inhibitors– Venlafaxine
– Duloxetine
– Milnacipran
• 5HT Reuptake Inhibitors– Paroxetine
– Escitalopram
• Atypical– Bupropion
Anticonvulsants
• 1st generation– Valproic acid
– Carbamazepine
• 2nd generation– Topiramate / zonisamide
– Gabapentinoids
– Oxcarbazepine
– Lacosamide?
– Lamotrigine?
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
• Cyclobenzaprine– sedation, structurally a TCA
• Tizanidine– sedating, hypotension, best data
• Methocarbamol– less sedating, limiting evidence
• Orphenadrine– sedating, sodium channel blockade
• Carisoprodol– sedating, high abuse potential
• Diazepam– sedating, high abuse potential
• Metaxalone– less sedating, expensive
• Baclofen– data primarily intrathecal
• Dantrolene– hepatotoxicity
Chou R, et al. Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions. J Pain Symptom Manage 2004;23:140-75.
Opioids
• Mu-agonists
• Agonist-antagonists
• Centrally acting opioids
• Antagonists
Opioid Receptors and ActionsEffect Receptor Agonist AntagonistAnalgesia Mu, kappa, delta Analgesia No effect
Respiratory Mu Decrease No effect
GI Mu, kappa ↓ transit No effect
Psychotomimesis Kappa Increase No effect
Feeding Mu, kappa, delta ↑ Feeding ↓ Feeding
Sedation mu, kappa Increase No effect
Diuresis Kappa Increase ??
Prolactin Mu ↑ release ↓ release
Growth hormone Mu and/or delta ↑ release ↓ release
Acetylcholine Mu Inhibit ??
Dopamine Mu, delta Inhibit ??
Pasternak, G. W. (Ed.). (2010). The opiate receptors (Vol. 23). Humana Press.
The OpioidsPhenanthrenes Benzomorphans Phenylpiperidines Diphenylheptanes Central
Morphine Pentazocine Meperidine Methadone Tramadol
CodeineHydrocodone*Hydromorphone*Levorphanol*Oxycodone*Oxymorphone*Buprenorphine*NalbuphineButorphanol*NaloxoneHeroin
DiphenoxylateLoperamide
FentanylSufentanilAlfentanilRemifentanil
Propoxyphene Tapentadol
* Indicates lack of 6-OH group, possibly decreasing risk of cross-tolerance of hypersensitivity
Table adapted with permission from J. Fudin, PharmD www.paindr.com
Commercially Available Oral Opioids in USCombination Immed. Release “Long acting”
Hydrocodone / APAP:Hydrocodone 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10
Morphine10; 15; 30
Morphine-LA15; 30; 60; 100; 200; Kadian specific: 10; 20; 50; 80Avinza specific: 90; 120Tramadol: 50mg
Tapentadol: 50, 75, 100mg
Hydrocodone / Ibuprofen:Hydrocodone 5, 7.5; IBU 200
Oxycodone5; 15; 30
Oxycodone-LA10; 20; 40; 80
Oxycodone / APAP:Oxycodone 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10
Hydromorphone2; 4; 8
Oxymorphone-LA5; 7.5; 10; 15; 20; 30; 40
Oxycodone / Ibuprofen:5/400
Oxymorphone5; 10
Fentanyl-TTS12.5; 25; 50; 75; 100 (mcg/hour)
Codeine / APAP:15/300; 30/300; 60/300
Codeine15; 30; 60
Methadone 5, 10
Fentanyl (buccal / OTFC)0.1; 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8; 1.2; 1.6
Levorphanol 2
Tapentadol 50, 100, 150, 200, 250
Hydromorphone 6, 8, 12
Drug IV (mg) Oral (mg)
Morphine 10 30
Buprenorphine 0.3 0.4 (SL)
Codeine 100 200
Fentanyl 0.1 - -
Hydrocodone -- 30
Hydromorphone 1.5 7.5
Meperidine 100 300
Oxycodone -- 20
Oxymorphone 1 10
McPherson ML. Demystifying opioid conversion calculations. Bethesda, MD: American Society for Health-System Pharmacists, Inc; 2010.
Equianalgesic dosing
McPherson ML. Demystifying opioid conversion calculations. Bethesda, MD: American Society for Health-System Pharmacists, Inc; 2010.
Adjusting doses• Incomplete cross-tolerance
– Reduce target dose 25-50% if pain mild to moderate
– Moderate pain, consider no reduction
– Moderate to severe pain, consider increase of 50% to 100%
• Exceptions to above rule include fentanyl, methadone, levorphanol– Transdermal fentanyl reduction considered in conversions
– Methadone and levorphanol exhibit dose-dependent potency changes
• Breakthrough immediate release opioid dosing– 10% to 20% of total daily dose
– Exceptions include all transmucosal, sublingual and intranasal fentanyl products
Let’s practice!
• JL is a 46 year old female with a history of disabling chronic low back pain with radiculopathy. She is post-operative day 5 following L4-L5 fusion and pain is well controlled on current therapy (patient was on chronic opioid therapy prior to surgery). The surgeon would like your assistance in creating an oral therapeutic regimen to discharge her home on.
• Inpatient medications– Morphine IV PCA 4mg basal rate, 4mg bolus with a 10 min lockout
– PCA pump reveals 16 attempts, 16 deliveries over past 24 hrs
• JL’s insurance will cover all short acting opioids and CR oxycodone or fentanyl transdermal patches
Let’s practice!
• JL is a 46 year old female with a history of disabling chronic low back pain with radiculopathy. She is post-operative day 5 following L4-L5 fusion and pain is well controlled on current therapy (patient was on chronic opioid therapy prior to surgery). The surgeon would like your assistance in creating an oral therapeutic regimen to discharge her home on.
• Inpatient medications– Morphine IV PCA 4mg basal rate, 4mg bolus with a 10 min lockout
– PCA pump reveals 16 attempts, 16 deliveries over past 24 hrs
• JL’s insurance will cover all short acting opioids and CR oxycodone or fentanyl transdermal patches
First calculate 24 hour morphine intake: (4mg)X(24hrs) = 96mg basal and (4mg) X (16 deliveries from bolus) = 64mg bolus dosing
TOTAL 160MG OF IV MORPHINE EQUIVALENTS / 24 HRS
Drug IV (mg) Oral (mg)
Morphine 10 30
Buprenorphine 0.3 0.4 (SL)
Codeine 100 200
Fentanyl 0.1 - -
Hydrocodone -- 30
Hydromorphone 1.5 7.5
Meperidine 100 300
Oxycodone -- 20Oxymorphone 1 10
McPherson ML. Demystifying opioid conversion calculations. Bethesda, MD: American Society for Health-System Pharmacists, Inc; 2010.
Equianalgesic dosing
Let’s practice!
• JL is a 46 year old female with a history of disabling chronic low back pain with radiculopathy. She is post-operative day 5 following L4-L5 fusion and pain is well controlled on current therapy (patient was on chronic opioid therapy prior to surgery). The surgeon would like your assistance in creating an oral therapeutic regimen to discharge her home on.
• Inpatient medications– Morphine IV PCA 4mg basal rate, 4mg bolus with a 10 min lockout
– PCA pump reveals 16 attempts, 16 deliveries over past 24 hrs
• JL’s insurance will cover all short acting opioids and CR oxycodone or fentanyl transdermal patches
First calculate 24 hour morphine intake: (4mg)X(24hrs) = 96mg basal and (4mg) X (16 deliveries from bolus) = 64mg bolus dosing
TOTAL 160MG OF IV MORPHINE EQUIVALENTS / 24 HRS
Next convert IV morphine (160mg) to PO morphine using the equianalgesic chart: (160mg IV) X (3) =
TOTAL 480mg ORAL MORPHINE EQUIVALENTS / 24 HRS
Let’s practice!
• JL is a 46 year old female with a history of disabling chronic low back pain with radiculopathy. She is post-operative day 5 following L4-L5 fusion and pain is well controlled on current therapy (patient was on chronic opioid therapy prior to surgery). The surgeon would like your assistance in creating an oral therapeutic regimen to discharge her home on.
• Inpatient medications– Morphine IV PCA 4mg basal rate, 4mg bolus with a 10 min lockout
– PCA pump reveals 16 attempts, 16 deliveries over past 24 hrs
• JL’s insurance will cover all short acting opioids and CR oxycodone or fentanyl transdermal patches
First calculate 24 hour morphine intake: (4mg)X(24hrs) = 96mg basal and (4mg) X (16 deliveries from bolus) = 64mg bolus dosing
TOTAL 160MG OF IV MORPHINE EQUIVALENTS / 24 HRS
Next convert IV morphine (160mg) to PO morphine using the equianalgesic chart: (160mg IV) X (3) =
TOTAL 480mg ORAL MORPHINE EQUIVALENTS / 24 HRS
Using the equianalgesic chart convert oral morphine to oral oxycodone:
480mg ME/ x oxycodone = 30mg ME / 20mg oxycodone
Solve for “x”
320mg of oral oxycodone per 24 hours
Let’s practice!
First calculate 24 hour morphine intake: (4mg)X(24hrs) = 96mg basal and (4mg) X (16 deliveries from bolus) = 64mg bolus dosing
TOTAL 160MG OF IV MORPHINE EQUIVALENTS / 24 HRS
Next convert IV morphine (160mg) to PO morphine using the equianalgesic chart: (160mg IV) X (3) =
TOTAL 480mg ORAL MORPHINE EQUIVALENTS / 24 HRS
Using the equianalgesic chart convert oral morphine to oral oxycodone:
480mg ME/ x oxycodone = 30mg ME / 20mg oxycodone
Solve for “x”
320mg of oral oxycodone per 24 hours
Since pain is controlled reduce target dose by 25-50% (lets do 50%)
160mg of oral oxycodone / 24 hrs
CR oxycodone 80mg tablets 1 tablet every 12 hours (not BID)
Oxycodone IR tablets (10% to 20% of total daily dose) =
Oxycodone 15mg IR 1 tab every 4 hours as needed
Adverse effects of opioids
• Respiratory depression
• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hypogonadism
• Hyperalgesia
• Sleep disordered breathing
• Immune deficiency
Opioid-induced Hyperalgesia
• Paradoxical worsening of pain with opioids
• May represent central sensitization
• Mediated via NMDA-mGLUr or MAP kinase
• Unknown clinical relevance
• Lack of clear recommendations on management
• Educating patient is paramount
Chu LF, et al. Clin J Pain. 2008;24(6):479.Martin CM. Consult Pharm. 2011;26(8):530-42.Ramasubbu C, Gupta A. J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2011;25(3):219-230.
Opioid Effects on Sleep
• Ataxic (Briot) Breathing– Inhibition of central chemoreceptors
– Typically associated with neurologic disease
– Irregular and variable respiratory rate and effort
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea– Increased accessory muscle rigidity
– Decreased airway patency via neuronal inhibition
• Central Sleep Apnea– Blunted response to hypoxemic respiratory drive via peripheral
chemoreceptors
– Blunted compensatory response to airway resistance or loading
Yue HJ, et al. Opioid medication and sleep-disordered breathing. Med Clin N Am 2010;94:435-446.
Higher doses result in apneic episodes
Walker JM, et al. Chronic opioid use is a risk factor for the development of central sleep apnea and ataxic breathing. J Clin Sleep Med 2007;3(5):455-461.
Opioids for chronic pain?Guideline Yes or No? Caveats
Chou (APS & AAPM) Yes, moderate to severe pain ; benefits outweigh risks
Risk assessment, strict monitoring, and exit strategies
Am Geriatrics Society Yes, moderate to severe pain; benefitsoutweigh risks
What is conventional practice for pain syndrome?Is prescriber qualified or should specialist be consulted
Trescot (ASIPP) Maybe, severe pain; benefits must strongly outweigh risks
Provides decision algorithm and extensive review, no clear recs
54
1. Chou R, et al. Clinical guidelines for the use of chronic opioid therapy in chronic noncancer pain. J Pain 2009;10(2):113-130.
2. American Geriatrics Society. Pharmacologic management of persistent pain in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 2009;57:1331-1346.
3. Trescot AM, et al. Opioids in the management of chronic non-cancer pain: An update of American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians’ Guidelines. Pain Physician 2008;11(2 Suppl):S5-S62.
Cochrane Systematic Review:Long-term opioid management for chronic noncancer pain
Noble M, Treadwell JR, Tregear SJ, Coates VH, Wiffen PJ, Akafomo C, Schoelles KM. Long-term opioid management for chronic noncancer pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD006605. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006605.pub2
Route DiscontinuedAE
DiscontinuedLack of Efficacy
Aberrant Behavior
Oral (n=3040) 22.9% 10.3%
0.27%
Transdermal(n = 1628)
12.1% 5.8%
Intrathecal(n = 231)
7.6% 7.6%
Outcomes for CR vs. IR opioids
• Pain scores / severity– No difference when IR dosed around the clock
– No difference in breakthrough dosing
• Patient preference– CR opioids scored statistically significantly better
• Sleep– CR opioids scored statistically significantly better
• Nausea– CR opioids scored statistically significantly better
• Somnolence– CR opioids scored statistically significantly better
Rauck RL. What is the case for prescribing long-acting opioids over short-acting opioids for patients with chronic pain? A critical review. Pain Practice 2009;9(6):468-479.
Is tolerance more likely with IR?
• Dose escalation appears similar b/w IR and CR– 89% of IR and 79% of CR stable at one year
– Median time to escalation 3.1 years between groups
• Disappointing retention rates for CR exist– 10 yr retention rate 60% in Denmark
– No difference in Heath Related Quality of Life CR vs. IR
Watson CN, et al. The long-term safety and efficacy of opioids: A survey of 84 selected patients with intractable chronic noncancer pain. Pain Res Manage 2010;15:213-217.Jensen MK, et al. 10-year followup of chronic non-malignant pain patients: Opioid use, health related QOL and health care utilization. Eur J Pain 2006;10:423-433.
Screening for riskAcronym of tool Number of
questions
Completion Time to complete
SOAPP®‐R 24 items Self‐report < 10 minutes
DIRE 7 items Clinician
administered
< 5 minutes
ORT 5 items Clinician
administered
< 5 minutes
COMM(current use)
40 items Self‐report < 10 minutes
CAGE(current use)
4 items Self‐report or
clinician
administered
< 5 minutes
SOAPP®‐R (Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patient’s in Pain‐revised); DIRE (Diagnosis, Intractability, Risk, and Efficacy); ORT (Webster’s Opioid Risk Tool); COMM (Current Opioid Misuse Measure); CAGE (Cut‐down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye‐opener);
Moore TM, et al. A comparison of common screening methods for predicting aberrant drug-related behavior among patients receiving opioids for chronic pain management. Pain Med 2009;10(8):1426-33.
Ensuring safe use
• Screen for risk before the first prescription written
• Baseline and random drug screening
• Informed consent / pain treatment agreements
• All initial prescriptions need an “exit strategy”
• Monitor– Refill history
– Prescription monitoring program
– Office visit pill counts
– Concurrent prescriptions and co-morbidities
Webster LR, Fine PG. Approaches to improve pain relief while minimizing opioid abuse liability. J Pain 2010:11(7):602-611.
Monitoring outcomes
• The 4 “A”s of pain management monitoring– Analgesia
– Adverse effects (of opioids)
– Aberrant drug taking behavior
– Activity
• Help patient set REALISTIC treatment goals
• Trust, but verify
• Treat to activity, not the pain score
What is REMS?
Med Guide
Patient
Package Insert
Communication
Plan
Implementation
System
Elements to
Ensure Safe Use
Elements to assure safe use (ETASU)
• Certification and specialized training of prescribers, pharmacies / pharmacists, and other dispensers
• Restricted distribution of a drug to limited settings
• Dispensing to a patient based on evidence or other documentation of safe use conditions, such as labs
• Patient monitoring and/or patient registry
• Prescriber and/or pharmacist registry
Patient Counseling DocumentRequired for CR / LA REMS
• DO– Read the med guide
– Take exactly as prescribed
– Flush unused meds down toilet
– Call healthcare provider for med advise or SE
• DON’T– Give your medicine to others
– Take medicine unless prescribed for you
– Stop taking your medicine without direction
– Break, chew, crush, dissolve, or inject your medicine
– Drink alcohol while taking this medicine
http://www.er-la-opioidrems.com/IwgUI/rems/pdf/patient_counseling_document.pdf. Accessed 10/12/12.
Conclusions
• Chronic pain is prevalent
• Chronic pain is difficult to treat
• Multi-modal treatment plans should be employed
• Opioids are effective analgesics requiring judicious use
Recommended