Painkiller prescriptions after minor surgery puts patients at risk of addiction: study

carys mills Globe and Mail Update Published Monday, Mar. 12, 2012 4:46PM EDT Last updated Monday, Mar. 12, 2012 4:50PM EDT

Patients who are prescribed opioids within a week of minor surgery are at risk of becoming chronic users, according to a Canadian study published Monday.

Researchers say tailored post-operative plans are needed to make sure patients arent being given painkillers that they dont need or ones that are too strong.

Some 391,139 Ontario patients were studied by researchers from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and St. Michaels Hospital. All were 66 or older and had low-pain operations, such as for cataracts, gallbladder removal, prostate tissue removal or varicose vein stripping.

Within a week of surgery, 7 per cent were given opioids, including codeine and oxycodone the generic name for OxyContin according to the study. One year later, more than 10 per cent of them were continuing to use the medications.

We think part of the reasoning behind these things occurring is because there are standardized templates for discharge from hospital, said Chaim Bell, the senior researcher of the study, which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

[The templates] are not well tailored to some of the patients that may not need pain medications.

There are high rates of addiction to opiods, powerful narcotic painkillers, across Canada. One popular form, OxyContin, is being limited by many provinces to curb addiction.

The study also found that many patients who initially took low-potency opioids began taking more potent ones within a year. Long-term use can lead to addiction and increased tolerance.

A standardized dose is often prescribed regardless of anticipated post-operative pain, the study says. Dr. Bell said improved communication between the surgeon and primary care provider would help to assess anticipated pain level and duration, so that the right prescription is given.

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Painkiller prescriptions after minor surgery puts patients at risk of addiction: study