A 52‑year‑old man with chronic low back pain from degenerative disc disease has been taking long‑term high‑dose oxycodone prescribed by various doctor...

Question

A 52‑year‑old man with chronic low back pain from degenerative disc disease has been taking long‑term high‑dose oxycodone prescribed by various doctors. He has escalating dose requests but no red flag features. What is the most appropriate approach to his analgesia?

Accepted Answer

Undertake an opioid review, consider tapering and shift to multimodal non‑opioid and non‑pharmacological pain management

Answer

Continue escalating opioid doses to control pain

Answer

Abruptly cease all opioids without support

Answer

Switch to stronger opioids such as fentanyl patches

Answer

Provide indefinite opioid prescriptions to maintain rapport

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Opioid prescribing chronic non-cancer pain

A 52‑year‑old man with chronic low back pain from degenerative disc disease has been taking long‑term high‑dose oxycodone prescribed by various doctors. He has escalating dose requests but no red flag features. What is the most appropriate approach to his analgesia?