Transition to high-dose or strong opioids: a population-based study of people initiating opioids in Australia.

In Australia, more than one in every 13 people initiating weak opioids transition to strong opioids. By extrapolation, more than 26 000 Australian adults initiating opioids escalate to high doses each year. People with cancer treatment history, older people and males transition to strong and high-dose opioids more rapidly than others.