Here is a interesting statement from our Federal government:  When we draw on the wisdom of a workforce that reflects the population we serve, we are better able to understand and meet the needs of our customers-the American people.  Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility 

This Administration is a strong supporter of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), but there seems to be less and less EQUITY for  those within the chronic pain community. It seems to totally the support those groups whose mantra is “My body my choice”, ” I am who I say I am ‘, No justice No peace”. Seems like every week there is a new subset of our population and a new agenda and another mantra.

Below, I have put links to two different posts on my blog that explains that Hyperalgesia is just a little less rare than a UNICORN !

FDA Announces New Safety Label Changes For Opioid Pain Medicines

The perceived prevalence of OIH in clinical practice is a relatively rare phenomenon

Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia—Exploring Myth and Reality

The FDA is requiring several updates to the prescribing information for immediate-release (IR) and extended-release/long-acting (ER/LA) opioid analgesics.

The updates also include a new warning about opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) which is a condition where opioids cause an increase in pain (hyperalgesia) or an increased sensitivity to pain (allodynia).

Opioid pain medicines are an important treatment option in appropriate situations when used as prescribed; however, they also have serious risks. Although the number of dispensed prescriptions for opioid pain medicines has substantially decreased, data suggests that patients who use opioids for pain relief after surgery often have leftover tablets, which can pose a risk for nonmedical use, accidental exposure, addiction, and overdose. We also know that for a number of disorders that can cause chronic pain, non-opioid medications and other treatments can provide effective pain relief without the risks associated with opioid medications. These safety labeling changes (SLCs) are intended to provide clarity on appropriate patient populations for opioid treatment, appropriate dosage and administration, and updated information on the risks associated with opioid use.

The required safety labeling changes, listed in the Drug Safety Communication, include stating:

• the risk of overdose increases as the dosage increases for all opioid pain medicines;
• IR opioids should not be used for an extended period of time unless a patient’s pain remains severe enough to require them and alternative treatment options continue to be inadequate;
• many acute pain conditions treated in the outpatient setting require no more than a few days of an opioid pain medicine; and
• it is recommended to reserve ER/LA opioid pain medicines for severe and persistent pain that requires an extended treatment period with a daily opioid pain medicine and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.

The updates also include a warning about OIH for both IR and ER/LA opioid pain medicines, including information on differentiating OIH symptoms from those of opioid tolerance and withdrawal.

This action is just one facet of the FDA’s progress towards implementing the FDA Overdose Prevention Framework, which provides our vision to undertake impactful, creative actions to prevent drug overdoses and reduce deaths.

We remain focused on responding to all facets of substance use, misuse, overdose, and death through the four priorities of the framework, including: supporting primary prevention by eliminating unnecessary initial prescription drug exposure and inappropriate prolonged prescribing; encouraging harm reduction through innovation and education; advancing development of evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders; and protecting the public from unapproved, diverted, or counterfeit drugs presenting overdose risks.

Filed under: General Problems