CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

The CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain recommends careful, individualized management to reduce risks like addiction or overdose. It emphasizes starting with the lowest effective dose, regularly reviewing the patient's response, and considering non-opioid treatments first. The guideline highlights the importance of informed consent, monitoring for misuse, and avoiding unnecessary long-term opioid use. It aims to balance pain relief with safety, encouraging clinicians to carefully assess the risks and benefits, ensure proper patient education, and adjust or stop opioids if risks outweigh benefits.