Impact of 30-day prescribed opioid dose trajectory on fatal overdose risk: A population-based, statewide cohort study.
Stephen G HenryShao-You FangAndrew J CrawfordGaren J WintemuteIraklis Erik TseregounisJames J GasperAaron ShevAbigail R CartusBrandon D L MarshallDaniel J TancrediMagdalena CerdáSusan L StewartPublished in: Journal of general internal medicine (2023)
Large (≥2 categories) 30-day dose increases and decreases were both associated with increased risk of fatal opioid overdose, particularly for patients taking ≥90 MME whose opioids were abruptly stopped. Results align with 2022 CDC guidelines that urge caution when reducing opioid doses for patients taking long-term opioid for chronic pain.