medication

These 10 Factors Linked To Increased Risk Of Opioid Overdose In Chronic Pain Patients

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

overdoseChronic pain patients who take opioids as part of their treatment plan always need to take steps to mitigate their risk of dependence or overdose, but that’s especially true for patients facing 10 specific factors, according to a new study out of Canada.

The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) and led by researchers at McMaster University, found that the risk of fatal and non-fatal opioid overdose by prescription medication increased up to sixfold in patients dealing with certain risk factors or predictors. To get a better understanding of some of the predictors of fatal and nonfatal overdoses in patients managing prescription medications, researchers looked at data from more than 24 million patients across Canada, the US and the United Kingdom. Researchers identified a total of 103 predictors, but 10 stood out from the rest because they showed a risk increase of two to six times compared to patients who didn’t have these factors.

According to the study, the 10 biggest predictors of fatal and nonfatal opioid overdose for patients taking prescription medication are:

  • High-dose opioids
  • Use of multiple pharmacies
  • Multiple opioid prescribers
  • Fentanyl prescription
  • Current substance use disorder
  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Other mental illness
  • History of opioid overdose
  • Pancreatitis

The findings are important because they can help us map out chronic pain care and take different approaches in patients who may be considered high risk. For example, mental health screenings and questionnaires should absolutely become standard practice for patients dealing with a chronic pain condition. As we’ve said many times on the blog in the past, chronic pain is much more than just a physical issue. It also weighs heavily on your mind and your emotions, and if a doctor isn’t working to also control for these aspects, patients may end up depressed, anxious or facing other mental health issues that drastically increase their risk of overdose.

It’s also important that doctors work to provide a comprehensive treatment plan that involves more than just an opioid prescription. Opioids inherently become less effective as our body gets used to the medication, so patients may start to take larger doses to find the same level of relief. Needless to say, this greatly increases their risk of accidental overdose. Treatment tends to be more effective and patients can actually wean off opioids when they pursue other active techniques, like exercise, physical therapy, sleep improvements and better nutrition. Pain is rarely effectively managed through just one specific type of treatment, so find a provider who is willing to develop an individualized treatment plan to give you the best chance of overcoming your pain issue.

Whether you’re considered low-risk, high-risk or somewhere in between, we want to be your resource for overcoming a chronic pain condition. Nobody plans to become addicted to opioids, and it can happen to even the best of us, so be aware of the risk factors and connect with a provider who can help counter these potential predictors. For more information, or to set up an appointment with Dr. Cohn, give his office a call today at (952) 738-4580.

Tips For Safely Managing Your Prescriptions

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

medication managementWhether you’re dealing with a chronic pain condition or recovering after a surgical operation, there’s a decent chance that you’ve been prescribed some form of medication to help mange the discomfort. If you need to take medication for your ailment, be it for the next seven days or the rest of your life, managing these painkillers so they are taken safely is the utmost priority. In today’s blog, we share some tips for helping you safely manage your prescription medication.

How To Manage Your Meds Safely

Your ability to safely manage your prescription medication begins the moment your physician tells you that they are starting you on a prescription regimen. From that moment until your last dose, you’ll want to:

Ensure You Understand – Before you leave the office, make sure you understand how your medication should be taken, how often you should take it, and the potential side effects of the medication. When you pick up the prescription from the pharmacist, have them run through the instructions once again. Don’t abuse your medications because you took them incorrectly on accident. Before you take your first pill, make sure you completely understand how to properly administer them.

Set Reminders – Even if you don’t think that you’ll forget to take your medication, it may be worthwhile to get set up with a daily reminder. Some people do this by attaching a sticky note to their toothbrush, while others prefer more modern solutions. There are a number of smartphone apps that can send you notifications or text messages at regular intervals to ensure you take your medications at the right time every day. Find a reminder that works best for you.

Safe Storage – Always be sure to store your medications is a safe location that is out of reach for children. If you have teens or young adults in the household, store your painkillers in a discreet location. You may think that’d they’d never try your painkillers, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Lock boxes are a great place for medications if you’re even the slightest bit concerned that someone in your household could abuse or steal them to sell.

Never Mix – Never mix medications unless your doctor has told you that doing so is safe, and even then you’ll want to avoid driving or doing physical tasks until you know how the medication will affect you. Similarly, don’t mix medications and alcohol, because it can cause significant health issues.

Follow Instructions – If you feel a bad flareup coming on or you’re concerned that your medication isn’t working, don’t take this as a sign to take more of your medication. Follow the instructions and talk to your doctor about whether or not it is safe to adjust your dosage. Taking more than directed can lead to addiction or overdose.

Safely Separate – If you take more than one medication, consider separating them into a daily container like the one in the above picture. Some pills will be taken four times a day, others every 24 hours, and others every few days. It can be tough to keep track of everything, which is why a medication sorter can help ensure you take everything safely.

Stop Smart – Finally, there are health risks associated with abruptly stopping your medication. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to wean off your medication, and if you believe healing has run its course before you run out of painkillers, make sure you dispose of them the right way. You can turn them into a pharmacy or grind them up into coffee grounds and throw them away, but avoid flushing them down the toilet or holding onto them. Safely stop and dispose of your medication.

For help with your medication management, or to look at other solutions to your pain, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.