Responsible and safe use of opioids in children and adolescents in the emergency department.

Abstract

Untreated pain in childhood may have ramifications well into adulthood. Opioid medications have an important role in care for moderate to severe pain that cannot be relieved by first-line interventions, but clinicians must approach opioid use in the emergency department in an evidence-based, socially responsible manner. This issue reviews evidence-based approaches to with a focus on optimizing nonopioid pain management as a first approach and using opioid medications safely, when appropriate. Recommendations are provided for safer opioid prescribing, including assessment of risk factors for opioid misuse, careful family counseling and education, and suggested prescribing limits. Prescription and use of naloxone in the emergency department and as take-home kits are also discussed.