Danger in your pill bottle?
This commentary refutes published assertions that opioid use is inherently dangerous and to be discouraged. A reasoned case for risk-to-benefit considerations is presented. Data from federal reporting systems are placed in perspective. The importance of using opioids rationally in pain management is supported.
Strassels
Scott
S
Division of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. scotts1@mail.utexas.edu
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid