An Abrupt Opioid Taper Can Harm People in Chronic Pain
There has been a push to use an opioid taper to reduce the frequency of opioid prescriptions across the country. Overall, this drive has been a positive change throughout the United States. There is no doubt that narcotic and opioid prescriptions have been overprescribed in massive numbers. This has led to a record number of overdoses and fatalities over the past few decades, completely consuming some parts of the country. This opioid epidemic has been addressed by some of the leading minds in the country.
There has been a rapid drop in the number of prescriptions written for opioid medications. While this comes with positive intentions on the part of the medical community, this can also be harmful to patients who are suffering from severe chronic pain. An abrupt opioid taper can actually harm these individuals. Fortunately, there is a way to do this safely. This issue was addressed in an article that was recently published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
New Guidelines Published for Physicians Regarding an Opioid Taper
Because of the sheer size of the epidemic, there has been a rapid push to reduce the number of controlled medications on the streets of this country. This has pushed doctors to rapidly reduce the frequency with which they write prescription medications, such as opioids. Even though doctors have their patients’ interests at heart, the United States Department of Health and Human Services says this can be harmful.
In new guidelines that were published recently, the agency says that opioid prescription medications should be reduced both slowly and carefully. It is important to remember that these patients suffer from chronic pain. Therefore, weaning patients off of these medications needs to be done with care and compassion at the center.
A Rapid Course Correction from the Agency
Many doctors are viewing this as a shift in course. Back in 2016, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its own set of guidelines. In these guidelines, the risks of addiction were front and center. Addiction to prescription medications can disrupt relationships with family members and friends, can make it hard to maintain gainful employment, and can lead to overdoses that might even be fatal.
Understandably, doctors tried to do their part to reduce the opioid medications that were flooding the streets. Physicians took steps to reduce the number of pain pill prescriptions they wrote. In many cases, patients were cut off entirely and encouraged to find alternative ways to manage their pain. On the other hand, patients cannot stop taking opioid and narcotic medications cold turkey.
The Importance of a Gradual Opioid Taper
It is vital for patients to have a gradual opioid taper. When someone has been taking these medications for an extended period of time, their body builds up an expectation and tolerance to this class of prescription medicine. Stopping these medicines too quickly can cause someone to go into withdrawal. This can drastically affect their mood, might lead to sweats and shakes, and can even lead to seizures in severe situations. Most people agree that there are far too many opioid prescriptions written in this country. On the other hand, patients who use these prescription medications for chronic pain deserve to have a gradual opioid taper that prevents the development of withdrawal.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. It is important for individuals in chronic pain to have all prescription medications managed by a doctor so that any opioid taper can be managed properly. Anyone who is in chronic pain due to the negligence of another person or entity, call me at (800) 404-5400 and/or (916) 921-6400 to receive free, friendly legal guidance and advice.
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