Opioids: initial use for severe acute pain
Opioids: initial use for severe acute pain |
Morphine and fentanyl are commonly used for the relief of severe acute pain. While effective relief of pain is necessary, opioid overdose carries serious risks. Rapid dose titration seeks an acceptable compromise between prompt analgesia and safety. A small dose is given and doses repeated at intervals of about five minutes until analgesia is achieved or sedation and/or respiratory depression contraindicate further opioid administration. An example of such a process of titration to effect is detailed in Figure 1.4.
The patient should be monitored during intravenous administration of opioids, including sedation score, respiratory rate, and arterial oxygen saturation if possible.
Initial intravenous opioid 'titration to effect' for acute pain in adults (Figure 1.4) [NB1]
NB1: Not appropriate for maintenance of analgesia in continuing pain. Also, note that this figure provides a guideline for the initial management of moderate to severe acute pain in adults using intermittent intravenous opioid administration, and assumes that the patient is not currently on an opioid (ie does not have opioid tolerance).
Thanks for your visit..!