Pain Management and Opioid Use and Complications Among Older Adults

Opioid use in older adults is a significant problem, with an estimated 1 million seniors having opioid use disorder. Age-related changes increase the risk of complications like respiratory depression, falls, Cardiac conduction impairment and cognitive impairment. Effective management involves careful patient selection, low-dose prescribing, regular monitoring, multimodal pain management, and addressing specific side effects like constipation. Alternative therapies and, when needed, treatment for opioid use disorder is crucial. Education for patients and caregivers is essential for safe opioid use and overdose prevention.

Learning Objectives:

1. The attendee will learn the acute and chronic impacts of opioid prescribing.
2. The attendees will learn about cardiovascular effects from opioids that may be life threatening.
3. The attendees will become familiar with drug-drug interactions which increase mortality.

About Dr. Scott Phillips
Dr. Scott Phillips is the Executive and Medical Director of the Washington Poison Center in Seattle.  Dr. Phillips is board certified in internal medicine and medical toxicology and an associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of Colorado.  Dr. Phillips has published over 200 articles, book chapters and abstracts in toxicology.

 

 

Registration

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Thank you for your interest in the virtual discussion "Pain management and opioid use and complications among older adults." Registration is currently closed.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Marian Wilson, marian.wilson@wsu.edu.

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