Recommendations for the safe prescription of opioids in patients with a history or risk of abuse

Abstract

Chronic pain is one of the most frequent medical problems and its relief should be a priority therapeutic goal; Opioid analgesics constitute the cornerstone, however, in chronic pain and the addictive potential of these drugs, as well as their misuse and the worrying increase in overdose deaths in some countries such as the US, have forced health authorities to implement coordinated strategies to promote safe and responsible prescribing, to mitigate risks in the use of opioids.