Pharmacologic Management of Pain: NSAIDs to Opioids

Statement of NeedMany physicians are reluctant and apprehensive about prescribing opioids for their chronic pain patients. This is largely due to real or perceived legal barriers that limit effective chronic pain management and concerns regarding misuse, abuse and diversion of opioids. The purpose of this activity is to provide participants with information to develop and manage the best pharmacologic treatment options for their patients with chronic pain.Intended AudienceThis program is intended for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and other associated healthcare professionals who care for patients experiencing acute or chronic pain.Learning ObjectivesUpon completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:
Evaluate the pain condition and develop the best pharmacologic treatment options for their chronic pain patients.
Apply principles of rational polypharmacy to better manage chronic pain.
Assess benefits and controversy of prescribing NSAIDs for the management of chronic pain
Assess benefits and risks in prescribing opioids for chronic pain.
Accreditation Statement:The Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. PhysiciansThe Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).TM Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity. Nurse PractitionersThis program has been approved for 1.5 contact hours (which includes 1.5 Pharmacology hours) of continuing education by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Program ID 0807328. Registered NursesThe Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 4229 for 1.8 contact hours. RNs outside California must verify with their licensing agency for approval of this course. Pharmacy Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. This program is a continuing education activity of Purdue University, an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Universal Program Number (UPN): 018-999-08-113-H01-P, 1.50 Contact hours ( 0.15 CEU)Release Date: 11/07/2008 Expiration Date: 11/30/2010Method of participation:The activity should take approximately 1.5 hours to complete. The participant should, in order, read the objectives and other introductory CME information, review the slides and listen to the accompanying audio, complete the registration form, post-test, and evaluation form. To access the registration form and post-test, click on the prompt on the final slide in the presentation. To receive credit for this activity, follow the instructions provided on the post-test. This credit is valid through November 30, 2010. No credit will be given after this date. There is no fee associated with this CME activity. In the event you are unable to print the certificate, please submit the post-test and then e-mail editor@dannemiller.com; a certificate will be mailed within 2 weeks. DisclosuresIn accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation requires that any person who is in a position to control the content of a CME activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships they have with a commercial interest. Accordingly,Bill H. McCarberg serves on the Speakers Bureau for Endo Pharmaceuticals. Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer. Inc., Merck &Co. Inc. Alpharma Inc. King Pharmaceuticals. Inc. Cephalon, Inc and Pricara. The Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation staff that was involved in the development of this activity has no financial relationships with any commercial interests that are relevant to this activity. To resolve identified conflicts of interest, the educational content was fully reviewed by a physician member of the Dannemiller Clinical Content Review Committee who has nothing to disclose. The resulting certified activity was found to provide educational content that is current, evidence based and commercially balanced. Off-label statementThis educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by FDA. The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings. Further, participants should appraise the information presented critically and are encouraged to consult appropriate resources for any product or device mentioned in this program. DisclaimerThe contents and views presented in this educational activity are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation or Alpharma INC. This material is prepared based upon a review of multiple sources of information, but it is not exhaustive of the subject matter. Therefore, healthcare professionals and other individuals should review and consider other publications and materials on the subject matter before relying solely upon the information contained within this educational activity. For questions regarding the content of this activity and technical assistance, contact Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation, accredited provider for this CME activity, at editor@dannemiller.com.