Dr. Willis discusses what strategies to use to lower the opioid supply and to safely manage chronic pain. He also addresses the steps of recovery for those who are experiencing opioid use disorder.

Dr. Grover discusses how doctors can reduce the opioid supply and use safer prescribing methods for chronic pain.

In the U.S., drug overdose deaths have increased substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Synthetic opioids are implicated as the primary drivers of this increase. Naloxone is recommended for use and distribution by health professionals and laypersons to address this crisis. Given the relative potency of many synthetic opioids, it has been theorized that higher doses of naloxone may be required to effectively reverse overdoses. This study tests that theory and provides recommendations related to naloxone prescriptions.

The purpose of this document is to encourage careful and selective use of long-term opioid therapy in the context of managing chronic pain through an evidence-based prescribing guideline, quality improvement measures to advance the integration of the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain into clinical practice, and practice-level strategies to improve care coordination.

This is a guide about treating chronic pain safely and without the use of opioids.

These guidelines provide recommendations about the appropriate prescribing of prescription opioids and other treatment options to improve pain management and patient safety.

As overdose deaths continue to rise, we need to consider one of the biggest contributors to the epidemic: the large opioid supply. What steps can your community take to lower the opioid supply?

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released an action notice for providers that details best practices to consider and offers supportive resources to use when inheriting patients on opioid therapy due to facility closures and other causes.

Follow up regularly with patients to determine whether opioids are meeting treatment goals and whether opioids can be reduced to lower dosage or discontinued. Use this guide to gain insight on the best way to taper patients with chronic pain.

The Monterey County Prescribe Safe Initiative is an organization that wants to help physicians with safe prescribing. Read through some of the solutions that have been working in Monterey County.

Safe Med LA, the opioid coalition for LA county created a 10-page recommendation on safe prescribing, broken down into six main focus areas: (1) Safe Opioid Prescribing; (2) Avoid Escalating Opioid Doses; (3) Avoid Dangerous Medication Combinations ; (4) Safe Tapering Practices; (5) Concurrent Drug and Alcohol Use; (6) Opioid Use Disorder and Medications for Addiction Treatment. Use this recommendation in conjunction with the Safe Opioid Prescribing Recommendations Template to customize the guidelines for your own communities and prescribers.

This guideline provides recommendations for primary care clinicians who are prescribing opioids for chronic pain outside of active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care.

An inclusive resource sheet with various tools for prescribers.

Opioids can be safe when carefully prescribed and monitored by a clinician, but they are not generally effective in treating long-term chronic pain and they have the potential to become addictive and misused. Prescribing guidelines are an important mechanism to align practices with evidence and safety. Use this fact sheet to learn more about safe prescribing.