Pain Management with Opioids and Controlled Substances: Potential Misuse and Alternative Treatment Options
Pain Management/Opioids CE for Pharmacists
Monograph
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Course Summary
Prescription opioids are used to treat moderate to severe pain. Individuals taking opioids over a long period of time can also develop cravings. Although most people who take opioids long-term do not develop a substance use disorder, a small percentage of people experience a continuing, compulsive need for opioids, which is characteristic of an opioid use disorder. There is a wide range of clinical practice guidelines for treating pain. Nonpharmacologic therapy and nonopioid medications are preferred for the initial treatment of chronic pain. Opioids as first-line or routine therapy for chronic pain should only be considered when the benefits outweigh the risks.
Describe characteristics of appropriate opioid prescribing
Discuss non-opioid treatments for patients presenting with pain
Summarize the uses of prescription drug monitoring programs like Michigan’s Automated Prescription System
Provide components of patient/caregiver education to individuals receiving treatment for pain
Course Syllabus
I. Introduction
II. Use of Opioids to Treat or Manage Pain
III. Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids
IV. Assessing Opioid Misuse and Dependence
V. Alternative Non-Opioid, Pharmacological Treatments for Pain Management
A. Non-Opioid Analgesics
B. Anticonvulsants
C. Corticosteroids
D. Antidepressants
E. Buprenorphine
F. Suzetrigine
G. Topical Lidocaine
VI. Nonpharmacological Treatments for Pain Management
A. Integrated Pain Treatment Plans
B. Physical Interventions
C. Psychotherapies
VII. Responsible Opioid Prescribing Practices
VIII. Stigma and Addiction
IX. Counseling Patients on Opioid and Controlled Substance Use
X. Utilizing Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
XI. Treating Opioid Overdose with Opioid Antagonists
A. Naloxone
B. Nalmephene
XII. Controlled Substances Act and Other Regulations
A. Schedules of Controlled Substances
B. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
C. Stock Ordering of Controlled Substances
D. Storage, Recordkeeping, and Disposal of Controlled Substances
E. Security Features
F. State-Level Scheduling and Regulations
XIII. Summary
- Read the course objectives and faculty planner disclosure
- Read the course material
- Complete the post-test with a minimum score of 70% and complete the course evaluation form.
- Results are automatically submitted to CPE Monitor
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Sandra Rogers, MD, Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Sandra Rogers, Kristina Neu, and Pamela Sardo have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosures
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
Computer Hardware/Software Requirements
Please ensure the device you plan to use meets these requirements and specifications:
- Operating System: Windows 7,8,10, or 11 /Mac OS X 10.9 or later/iOS/Android
- Supported Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
- A connection to the internet
- For Live Webinars or Conferences: GoToWebinar application for iOS, Android, Mac, or PC. You cannot 'call into' a live conference.
- Target Audience: Pharmacist
- Secondary Audiences: This educational activity is also for other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, physicians, or others who may be part of a healthcare team and may be interested in this educational topic. A healthcare team approach to patient care may be discussed in this activity, as applicable. No state board or professional organization has evaluated this activity to determine whether it meets the continuing education requirements of nurses, physicians, or other professions not listed under the “Target Audience” described above. Always verify with individual employers or supervisors whether they will accept this educational activity upon completion.
- Contact Hours: 3.0 (0.3 CEUs)
- Activity Release Date: 6/3/2025
- Activity Expiration Date: 6/3/2028
- Activity Type: Knowledge
- UAN: 0669-0000-25-064-H08-P
- Topic: Pain Management/Opioids
- CeBroker Number: 20-1307645
Faculty:
Preview the Materials:
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