Initiating Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: Does Which Medication Matter?

Although questions remain about the efficacy of opioid analgesics for the management of chronic pain, they are still frequently prescribed. The 3 most commonly prescribed opioids are short-acting/immediate release oxycodone, hydrocodone, and tramadol.

A recent study published in Pain Medicine sought to determine if there were any differences in patterns of use between these 3 medications over the year following initiation of therapy that might provide indications of efficacy and safety.

In the slides below, find key results and conclusions for clinicians.