The HHS and Opioid Tapering

The HHS has just released an article on Appropriate Dosage Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Analgesics. This “advice” is meant for all practitioners involved with the care and treatment for patients on opioids for non-acute situations. They do NOT recommend rapid tapering short of a life-threatening risk. They DO recommend a slow taper when the underlying pain improves, the pain and function are not meaningfully improved, has current evidence of opioid abuse as well as several other reasons. This is an important document. Feel free to copy and paste the following internet address to obtain a copy of this document. Read it carefully. https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/sites/default/files/2019-10/8-Page%20version__HHS%20Guidance%20for%20Dosage%20Reduction%20or%20Discontinuation%20of%20Opioids.pdf

I will be giving a talk about his in less than two weeks at the Pennsylvania Pain Society’s Annual Seminar in Hershey Pennsylvania. Hope to see you there.

Yours,

Larry

Larry Kobak, Esq., DPM
LKobak@frierlevitt.com
516-222-2407