how to safely switch opioid analgesics

August 2012

You'll hear debate about how to safely switch opioid analgesics.

Switches are often needed for formulary reasons...to change the route of administration...or if an opioid isn't tolerated or working well.

Most of us have been taught to use opioid equianalgesic charts to find comparable doses. But these can do more harm than good.

Get concise advice on drug therapy, plus unlimited access to CE

Pharmacist's Letter includes:

12 issues every year, with brief articles about new meds and hot topics
300+ CE courses, including the popular CE-in-the-Letter
Quick reference drug comparison charts
Access to the entire archive

Subscription Options

Already a subscriber? Log in

Volume pricing available. Get a quote

Table of Contents

Opioids how to safely switch opioid analgesics
HIV & AIDS Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir) to prevent HIV infection in adults
Supplements questions about the workout booster DMAA
Women's Health the risk of thrombosis with hormonal contraceptives
Diabetes take both a GLP-1 agonist (Byetta, etc) and DPP-4 inhibitor (Januvia, etc) for type 2 diabetes
Antithrombotics how to handle alerts for drug interactions between warfarin and many antimicrobials
Cardiology skepticism about whether fish oil supplements decrease cardiovascular risk
Lice Sklice (sklice), a new Rx lotion for head lice
Infectious Diseases prevention and treatment of diabetic foot infections
Travel Medicine how to get medications through airport screening
Obesity & Weight Loss Qsymia (kyoo-SIM-ee-uh) and Belviq (bel-VEEK), two new Rx drugs for weight loss