Rheumatology News (7/12, Dotinga) reports, “Most patients who were prescribed opioid” analgesics “did not go back for a refill right away, but nearly half of patients who stopped taking the drugs for at least six months ended up using them again over a three-year period,” researchers found after analyzing “medical and pharmacy data from 2009-2012 for 2.5 million people.” The findings were presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting.
Related Links:
— “Nearly Half of Patients Who Stop Taking Opioids for 6 Months Resume Use Later,” Randy Dotinga, Rheumatology News, July 12, 2017.