The current epidemic of drug overdoses began in the 1990s as an increase in prescribing of prescription pain medications for chronic pain and paralleled an increase in deaths from prescription opioids. While there is a downward trend in the volume of opioid prescriptions being written, there is a need and opportunity to further educate prescribers on best practice guidelines for opioid prescribing for both acute and chronic pain. Learn more.
Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
& Educational Resources
Acute Pain
A preventative approach to the opioid epidemic in the state of Michigan is underway through a focus on acute care prescribing. According to the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (OPEN), “addressing opioid prescribing during the acute care period among opioid-naïve patients has the greatest potential to reduce the number of new chronic opioid users and minimize unintended distribution of prescription opioids into communities.3
Prescription Drug & Opioid Abuse Commission: Acute Care Opioid Treatment and Prescribing Recommendations
Chronic Pain
A best practice approach for prescribing opioids in the treatment of chronic pain can ensure patients have access to safer, more effective chronic pain treatment while reducing the number of people who misuse, abuse, or overdose from these drugs. Learn more about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain.
Prescriber-Patient Relationship
Enhance the prescriber-patient experience with individuals in need of pain management.
Pharmacist Resources
- Genesee County Pharmacies that Carry Naloxone
- Allied Against Opioid Abuse: Pharmacy Toolkit
- Naloxone
- MDHHS: Naloxone Standing Order – for Pharmacist Use Only
- SAMHSA: Naloxone
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General: U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Naloxone and Opioid Overdose
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Naloxone: The Opioid Reversal Drug that Saves Lives
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Opioid Overdose Reversal with Naloxone
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Naloxone for Opioid Overdose: Life-Saving Science
Alternatives to Opioid Prescribing
Consider alternative options to opioid prescribing for chronic pain. Nonopioid treatments, including nonopioid medications and nonpharmacological therapies can provide relief to those suffering from chronic pain, and are safer.4 Learn more about alternative treatments to opioid prescribing.
