Postsurgical prescriptions for opioid naive patients and association with overdose and misuse: retrospective cohort study

2018581 citationsJournal Articlehybrid Open Access

Authors

Gabriel A. Brat · Harvard University

Denis Agniel · Boston Public Library

Andrew L. Beam · Harvard University

Brian K. Yorkgitis · Florida College

Mark C. Bicket · Johns Hopkins Medicine

Mark Homer · Boston Public Library

Kathe Fox ·

Abstract

Each refill and week of opioid prescription is associated with a large increase in opioid misuse among opioid naive patients. The data from this study suggest that duration of the prescription rather than dosage is more strongly associated with ultimate misuse in the early postsurgical period. The analysis quantifies the association of prescribing choices on opioid misuse and identifies levers for possible impact.

Topics & Keywords

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Pain Management and Opioid Use Anesthesia and Pain Management

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

Publication Details

Published in: BMJ

Volume 360, pp. j5790-j5790

DOI: 10.1136/bmj.j5790

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 77.55