CDC Proposes New Opioid Prescribing Guidelines To Give Physicians More Flexibility

On February 10, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released proposed new clinical practices and guidelines for prescribing opioid medications for adults with acute pain (duration of less than one month), subacute pain (duration of one-to-three months), or chronic pain (duration of three months or more). Written comments must be received on or before April 11, 2022. The proposed guidelines state that for people with acute pain, when opioids are initiated, clinical professionals should prescribe the lowest effective dosage of immediate-release opioids for no longer than needed for the expected duration of pain severe . . .