Special Considerations for Opioid Use in Elderly Patients With Chronic Pain

摘要

The CDC provides recommendations for clinicians asa guide for determining when to appropriately prescribe opioids for the treatment of chronic-pain, it is commonly believed that elderly persons are less sensitive to pain and that experiencing . pain is part of the aging process, but these assumptions result in possible undertreatment of pain, Specialconsideration must be given to elderly patients because of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in this age group. Pharmacists remain an important liaison between patients, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals. The role of the pharmacist is to ensure patient safety, as well as to provide counseling to help lessen the risk of potential side effects.