Evaluation of Hospitalized Patients Receiving High versus Low-Dose Opioids for Non-Cancer Pain.

Limited studies suggest that opioid-related adverse effects (ORAEs) may worsen hospitalized patient outcomes, but there is insufficient data related to the impact of high-dose opioids compared to low-dose on adverse patient events. Given the paucity of data, our study aims to evaluate these ORAEs in the general hospitalized patient with non-cancer pain. A retrospective study of adult patients receiving opioids with a primary diagnoses of myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, pneumonia, sepsis, or diabetes was conducted. Average oral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) administered over the entire LOS was collected, and patients were categorized as high-dose (≥50 MMEs/day) or low-dose (<50 MMEs/day). The primary composite endpoint was the incidence of ORAEs (naloxone use, decreased oxygen saturations, nausea/vomiting). Secondary outcomes included LOS, 30-day readmission, ORAEs with >100 MMEs/day. A total of 100 patients were included (n = 58 low-dose group; n = 42 high-dose group). For the primary outcome, more patients in the high-dose group experienced ORAEs (50% high-dose vs. 22.4% low-dose; p < 0.006). No statistically significant differences in LOS or 30-day readmission rates were identified between the groups. For patients receiving >100 MMEs/day, ORAEs occurred in 61% of patients. Hospitalized patients receiving high-dose opioids for non-cancer pain may have an increased incidence of ORAEs.

Challenges of Combining Opioids and P2Y12 Inhibitors in Acute Coronary Syndrome: Should the Future Be Opioid Free?

Morphine has been long recognized as standard of care in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients; however, its safety has recently been called into question due to a drug interaction with P2Y12 inhibitors. Opioids, given in combination with P2Y12 inhibitors, can reduce antiplatelet effects by slowing gastrointestinal motility and ultimately reducing drug absorption. While there are proposed benefits of opioids in ACS patients, conflicting data regarding clinical outcomes exist. The majority of clinical data slightly favors opioid use in ST-elevation myocardial infarction over non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, although trends for increased myocardial infarction are present in both settings. Current practice should be aimed at discerning the need for routine opioid use in ACS. Alternative strategies may be needed to overcome these interactions; however, no robust data are currently available to support these treatment options. Future research should be aimed at non-opioid treatment options in ACS, as opioid use remains controversial in this population.