Opioid Webinar #4: Dosing and Titration of Opioids

CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) partnered with CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) and the University of Washington to present this COCA Webinar Series about the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.

During the fourth webinar in this series, Dr. Deborah Dowell (CDC, NCIPC) will present on the topic of dosing and titration of opioids, specifically the type of opioid formulation recommended when opioids are initiated, starting dosages, methods for calculating morphine milligram equivalent (MME) dosage, considerations when titrating dosages, and best practices for opioid tapering and discontinuation. Reasons to taper may include a patient’s request, high dosages without benefits, or signs of overdose risk. Drs. Jane Ballantyne and Mark Sullivan (University of Washington) will review a case study of a patient with severe back pain who is taking oxycodone.

Webinar #4 Participant Information

Dosing and Titration of Opioids

Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern Time)
Dial In: 800-779-0686 (U.S. Callers); 1-312-470-0194 (International Callers)
Passcode: 3377346
Webinar: https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW8523118&p=3377346&t=c

• Registration is not required, but join early. Line opens 15 minutes before the live call.
• This is a high interest call. If lines reach capacity, access on demand a few days after the live call.
• Earn free continuing education.
• Previous webinars in the call series can be found on CDC's website.

Why is this topic important?

The amount of opioids prescribed in the U.S. quadrupled from 1999-2014. Unfortunately, long-term opioid use for chronic pain is associated with serious risks, including abuse, dependence, and overdose. Evidence suggests that the risk for opioid disorders increases with dose. The CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain provides recommendations for safer and more effective prescribing of opioids for chronic pain in patients 18 and older in outpatient settings outside of active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care.

Learn More

For more information on prescription opioids visit:

• CDC's Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
• Guideline Resources for Providers
• CDC's Opioid Overdose Home Page