Opioid Pain Management
Opioids are commonly prescribed to control pain after surgery, which doctors refer to as acute pain. The first three days after surgery are usually when patients experience the most discomfort, and while a schedule of over-the-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen is often enough to control pain and resume activities like eating and sleeping, sometimes it can be so severe that patients will opt to use opioids. Common opioids include codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, tramadol, and others.
It is essential to know the facts about opioids, their side effects, and how to use them safely. The following actions should be taken prior to taking medication:
- Determine whether over-the-counter medications can be tried before using opioids
- Patients should disclose any sedatives or benzodiazepines that they are currently taking
- As pain lessens, longer wait times should be taken between opioid doses
- Opioids should not be used for any other reason besides surgical pain and should not be used any more often than prescribed
Explore the resources below to learn more about opioids and their risks:
Adult Prescribing Recommendations
Check out OPEN’s evidence-based surgical prescribing recommendations for adult patients. These recommendations are updated regularly including revised recommendations and new procedures.
Pediatric Prescribing Recommendations
Check out OPEN’s evidence-based surgical prescribing recommendations for pediatric patients. These recommendations are updated regularly including revised recommendations and new procedures.
Pediatric Surgical Pain Management Toolkit
This toolkit summarizes best practices for prevention of opioid-related complications in children and adolescents. Providers and parents can find best practices, free educational materials, and sharable resources in this toolkit.
Surgical Prescribing: Summary of Best Practices
Stay up to date with OPEN’s summary of best practices document for prescribing, including non-opioids, during the perioperative period.
Pediatric Best Practices Card
These cards make it easy to share best practices to manage a child’s pain after surgery. The QR code goes directly to the OPEN Pediatrics website which has resources for patients, families and healthcare professionals to prepare for and manage pain after surgery.
Perioperative Pain Management and Care Coordination for Surgeons CE Course
This evidence-based educational opportunity will empower surgeons to directly impact the opioid epidemic by learning and implementing best-practice care management during the perioperative period.
Perioperative Pain Management and Care Coordination for Primary Care Providers CE Course
This evidence-based educational opportunity will empower clinicians to directly impact the opioid epidemic by learning and implementing best-practice care management during the perioperative period.
Pain Management in Dentistry CE Course
OPEN is excited to offer free online training for dental pain management and opioid prescribing. Three one-hour training modules are being offered that meet Michigan’s licensure requirement of board approved continuing education for pain and symptom management.
Pediatric Planning For Surgery and Pain Management Worksheet
This worksheet will guide you through preparing to manage pain after surgery. Download to complete and share with surgical care team members.
Acute Care Opioid Prescribing Guide
This Guide is a compilation of resources to support evidence-based acute care opioid prescribing.
Managing Pain After Surgery (Adults)
Learn more about how to successfully manage your pain after surgery using over the counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), non-medication options and using opioids if prescribed by your surgeon.
Acetaminophen and NSAIDs Reference Sheet – Dentistry
A condensed two-pager on using acetaminophen and NSAIDs for postoperative pain management.
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