​​How short-term opioid prescriptions affect long-term outcomes

A recent article in CMAJ entitled Effect of emergency department opioid prescribing on health outcomes examines a key concern facing many clinicians: can a single opioid prescription for acute pain lead to long-term harm? This study aimed to clarify the risks and inform safer prescribing practices.

Dr. Grant Innes, the study’s senior author, analyzed more than a decade of data from Alberta emergency departments to compare outcomes between patients who did and did not receive an opioid prescription. The study found no significant difference in rates of overdose, opioid use disorder, or death—challenging widely held fears about short-term opioid use. Innes notes that older and opioid-naive patients may be more vulnerable to adverse outcomes and encourages a balanced approach to pain management.

Dr. Hance Clarke, director of pain services at Toronto General Hospital, emphasizes the importance of structured follow-up and monitoring, especially for patients at higher risk of persistent use. He outlines practical strategies for safe prescribing and highlights underused and emerging alternatives, including ketamine, IV lidocaine, nerve blocks, and sodium channel blockers now in development. Clarke warns against “opioid phobia” and calls for individualized care supported by systems that can detect early warning signs.

The guests encourage physicians to not avoid prescribing opioids when clinically indicated, particularly in cases of severe acute pain. With thoughtful screening and mechanisms for follow-up, opioids can be relatively safe and effective. The goal is not zero prescribing, but safer, smarter prescribing.

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