Quantifying prescribed high dose opioids in the community and risk of overdose.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Opioid prescribing for a range of health issues is increasing globally. The risk of fatal and non-fatal overdose is increased among people prescribed strong opioids: in high doses in the context of polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications at the same time), especially with other sedatives; and among people with multiple morbidities including cardiorespiratory, hepatic and renal conditions. This study described and quantified the prescribing of strong opioids, comorbidities and other overdose risk factors among those prescribed strong opioids, and factors associated with high/very high opioid dosage in a regional health authority in Scotland as part of a wider service improvement exercise.

Methods

Participating practices ran searches to identify patients presc

SUBMITTER: Schofield J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8223343 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature