OPIOIDS IN TREATMENT OPIOIDS IN TREATMENT OF CHRONIC NON OF CHRONIC NON CANCER PAIN CANCER PAIN Elias Veizi MD, PhD Pain Medicine &Spine Care VAMC Assistant Professor, Departments of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
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OPIOIDS IN TREATMENT OF CHRONIC NON CANCER PAIN Elias Veizi MD, PhD Pain Medicine &Spine Care VAMC Assistant Professor, Departments of Anesthesiology,
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OPIOIDS IN TREATMENT OF OPIOIDS IN TREATMENT OF CHRONIC NON CANCER PAINCHRONIC NON CANCER PAIN
Elias Veizi MD, PhDPain Medicine &Spine Care VAMC
Assistant Professor, Departments of Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine
Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH
OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
Pharmacology of opioids Effects and side effects of opioids Review the state of opioid prescribing UDT in chronic pain patients
DISCLOSURES: NONE
Nomenclature
Opium: dried powdered mixture of 20 alkaloids from the seed capsules of the poppy
Opiate: any agent derived from opium (really only 3: codeine, morphine, thebaine)
Opioid: all substances with morphine like properties
Heroin
O
HOH
NH
CH3
HO1
23
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1314
15 16 O
AcOH
NH
CH3
AcO1
23
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1314
15 16
Morphine (Astramorph)Heroin (Diamorphine)(2X as potent as morphine)(Conversion of two -OH groups to -OAcfacilitates crossing of the BBB)
Easily enzymatically hydrolyzed to AcOH and HO-ArHO- Group is needed for activity
HO- Group not important to activity
I. Opioid Pharmacology
Body has its own analgesic systemThis in-built analgesia provides short-term relief from pain that enables an animal to escape from predators or extract themselves from a dangerous situation without being crippled with painOpioid analgesics utilise this system to provide controlled pain-reliefThis system is stimulated by other stimuli beside pain, including exercise and stress
Primarily a μ agonist with actions similar to morphine exceptAlso glutamate antagonist at NMDA receptorsGreater oral effectivenessExtended duration of action in suppressing
withdrawalSlow onset. Long duration (T1/2 22 hr) may
accumulate8
8
Other Synthetic OpioidsMethadone (Cont.)
Tolerance develops more slowlyWithdrawal syndrome is long and relatively mildbasis of “methadone detoxification”; wean addicts
off of other narcotics with oral methadone for a few weeks.
May cause torsades de pointes. Use with caution in patient at risk for arrhythmias.
Low cost so payers are encouraging its use
Methadone therapy [prevention model considerations]
Appropriate selection of candidates based on medical and behavioral stability.
Methadone should not be used, or used very cautiously, in individuals with QTc prolongation higher than 500 ms or cardiopulmonary abnormalities.
Additional risk factors for TdP are: History of unexplained syncope or seizures Other medication usage that affect QTc or CYP 3A4
Pain patients likely to “doctor shop,” misuse methadone, or mix it with CNS depressants are not good candidates for methadone.
Because a subgroup of pain patients experience substance use disorders, it is critically important to assess for a history of substance use before initiating methadone treatment for pain.
Although risk factors should be carefully considered, circumstances exist (e.g. end of life) in which benefits of improving refractory pain may outweigh risks associated with methadone
J Gen Intern Med 25(4):305–9 2010
Methadone dosing considerations Elderly, medically compromised, and opioid-naïve individuals starting
on methadone require special dosing considerations.
Guidelines: Initial methadone doses for opioid-naïve patients should not exceed
15–30 mg a day for the first three days, and it may be as low as 1–2 mg in medically vulnerable patients.
In the US, the current package insert recommends starting methadone at 2.5–10 mg every 8–12 hours, with gradual titration, depending on efficacy and tolerability
Despite some variation in initial dosing, both guidelines advocate for a “start low and go slow” approach, vigilance in assessing signs of toxicity, and slow titrations upward when necessary.
If pain persists, rescue doses may be required to improve analgesia during initial stages of treatment.
Patients are encouraged to monitor pain states, doses taken, quality of sleep, mood, and activity level.
J Gen Intern Med 25(4):305–9 2010
Potential Risk Factors in Methadone Deaths
Potential risk factors for respiratory
depression
Advancing age
Medically compromised
Liver or cardiac pathology
Sleep apnea
Polysubstance use
Opioid-naïve/low tolerance
High doses of methadone
Rapid titration of methadone dosing
Potential risk factors for TdP:
Female gender
Electrolyte imbalance
Liver or pulmonary pathology
Unexplained syncope or seizures
Other drug and medication use, especially those that impact QTc or inhibit CYP 3A428
High doses of methadone
Prolonged QTc
Opioid Withdrawal
Other Synthetic OpioidsTramadol (Ultram) not strictly an opioid analgesicproduces part of its effects by binding to μ receptors. Also inhibits NE and 5HT reuptake. Risk of seizures
Understand the difference between
Tolerance= less pain relief with the same dose (not a contraindication for therapy)
Physical dependence= withdrawal symptoms may occur when mediation is stopped (it is not addiction)
Addiction=compulsive behavior seeking the drugs Pseudo addiction=Iatrogenic drug seeking behavior
(inadequate treatment of pain?!)
The consequences of drugs of abuse on the cellular elements of the CNS
A. Büttner (2011) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology37, 118–134 The neuropathology of drug abuse
Cerebral vascular changes in polydrug abusers
Photomicrographs illustrating the spectrum of cerebral vascular changes in polydrug abusers. (A) Small artery in occipital white matter showing concentric wall thickening. The surrounding perivascular space contains occasional macrophages and pigment deposition. H&E, original magnification ×200. (B) Small vessel in the orbital white matter with perivascular lymphocytic aggregates. H&E, original magnification ×200. (C) Endothelial proliferation in the dentate nucleus, H&E, original magnification ×200. (D) Endothelial hyperplasia in the parietal white matter, H&E, original magnification ×200.
A. Büttner (2011) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology37, 118–134 The neuropathology of drug abuse
White matter of polydrug abusers a widespread axonal damage
Immunohistochemistry demonstrating β-APP-immunopositive bundles and β-APP-immunopositive globular deposits in the pons of polydrug abusers, counterstained with haematoxylin, original magnification ×100.
A. Büttner (2011) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology37, 118–134 The neuropathology of drug abuse
Dependence
(1) Physical dependence follows invariably tolerance to repeated administration of an opioid ( type).
(2) Failure to continue administering the drug results in withdrawal or abstinence syndrome.
(3) The signs and symptoms of withdrawal are: Rhinorrhea, lacrimation, chills, gooseflesh (piloerection), hyperventilation, hyperthermia, mydriasis muscular aches, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, and hostility.
OPIOID PRESCRIBING: Tremendous increase in
prescribing
From 1997 to 2007, the milligram-per-person use of prescription opioids in the U.S. increased from 74 milligrams to 369 milligrams ↑ 402%
In 2000, retail pharmacies dispensed 174 million prescriptions for opioids; by 2009, 257 million prescriptions were dispensed ↑ 48%
Increased prescription of opioids in million grams of medication
between 1997 and 2006
Crofford, L. J. (2010) Adverse effects of chronic opioid therapy for chronic musculoskeletal painNat. Rev. Rheumatol. doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2010.24
Data taken from www.justice.gov/dea/index.htm
Opioid use - statistics15% of chronic pain patients not treated with opioids had illicit drug use vs. 34% illicit drug use in patients treated with opioids.1
Patients with substance abuse are more likely to request & be prescribed opioids?
Patients prescribed opioids are more likely to develop co-morbid substance abuse issues?
1. Christo PJ, Manchikanti L, Ruan X, et al. Urine drug testing in chronic pain. Pain Phys
2011;14:123-43
Who is prescribing these meds?
90% of patients are on opioids prior to presenting to a pain center.1
Main prescribers of opioid analgesics are PCPs, followed by dentists and orthopedic surgeons. The main prescribers for patients age 10-19 are dentists.2
1. Manchikanti L, Damron KS, McManus CD, et al. Patterns of illicit drug use and opioid abuse in patients with chronic pain at initial evaluation: a prospective, observational study. Pain Phys 2004;7:431-7. 2. Volkow ND, McLellan TA. Curtailing diversion and abuse of opioid analgesics without jeopardizing pain treatment. JAMA 2011;305(13):1346-7
EVIDENCE?? A systematic review of randomized trials for
multiple opioids utilized for managing various chronic pain conditions, showed fair evidence for tramadol in managing osteoarthritis. For all other conditions and all other drugs excluding tramadol, the evidence was poor based on either weak positive evidence or indeterminate or negative evidence.
Manchikanti L, Ailinani H, Koyyalagunta D, et al. A systematic review of randomized trials of long-term opioid management for chronic non-cancer pain. Pain Phys 2011;14:91-121.
PCP prescribing habits
PCPs assessed regarding following of nationally accepted pain treatment guidelines before and after
2-hour interventionWhat % of PCPs discussed….
Comorbid depression 35% → 44% Functional status 38% → 49% Substance use 25% → 34% Side effects 14% → 20%
Corson K, Doak MN, Denneson L, et al. Primary care clinician adherence to guidelines for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain: results from the study of the effectiveness of a collaborative approach to pain. Pain Med 2011;12:1490-1501.
Aberrant behaviors (cont.) Going to ER for opioid medication refills Requesting early refills Reporting lost or stolen prescriptions Not following up with appointments that do not involve dispensing opioids Motor vehicle accidents or arrests Abuse of illicit substances Reporting relief only from opioid medications
Consider opioid agreement for chronic pain patients who:
Who are at risk for abuse or misuse Who take opiates around-the-clock Who get care from several providers
Monitoring based on Risk Level
Low Moderate High
Aberrant behavior?
5% 28% 90%
Frequency of visits
Monthly Biweekly Weekly
UDS at initiation?
Yes Yes Yes
Other UDS Randomly Every visit Every visit
Pill Counts? No Consider Yes
Referral to psychiatry/addiction?
No Consider Yes
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When to do Urine Drug Testing (UDT)
Consider testing for chronic pain patients: Who are on opiates and new to you Who have hx of prior substance abuse Who exhibit aberrant behaviors When starting new treatments To support a referral or a contract
WHY WHY URINEURINE??
Urine allows longer detection times than serum (blood)1
Good specificity, sensitivity, low cost, ease of use2
Currently we have the most data on use of urine
1. Moeller K, Lee KC< Kissack JC. Urine drug screening: practical guide for clinicians. Mayo Clin Proc 2008;83:66-76. 2. Manchikanti L, Malla Y, Wargo B, et al. Protocol for accuracy of point of care (POC) or in-office urine drug testing (immunoassay) in chronic pain patients: a prospective analysis of immunoassay and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (LC/MS/MS). Pain Physician 2010;13:E1-22.
Drug Urine Detection Time
Heroin (6-MAM) 6-8 hours
Hydrocodone 1-2 days
Oxycodone 1-3 days
Morphine 3-4 days
Methadone 2-4 days
Benzodiazepines Up to 30 days
Cocaine 1-3 days
Amphetamine 2-4 days
PCP 2-8 days
Marijuana 2-7 days for casual use30 days for chronic use
IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATIONScreening for opioid use/misuse helps build trust and strengthens the patient-physician
relationship
Discuss at the first visit in a non-confrontational way that this is like any other laboratory test
FALSE-POSITIVES FOR FALSE-POSITIVES FOR ILLICIT DRUGSILLICIT DRUGS
A 2011 study on ~1,000 patients found1:0% for cocaine2% for marijuana~1% for amphetamines
Plan may include no prescription until confirmation or a limited supply (3-5 days)
1. Manchikanti L, Malla Y, Wargo BW, Fellows B. Comparative evaluation of the accuracy of immunoassay with liuqid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) of urine drug testing (UDT) opioids and illict drugs in chronic pain patients. Pain Physician 2011;14;175-88.
CONFIRMATORY TESTINGCONFIRMATORY TESTING
2009 retrospective study in 1 million patients utilizing UDT found1:
75% were likely not taking medication as prescribed38% had no detectable level of prescribed med29% had a non-prescribed med11% had illicit drugs.
While recommendations exist regarding use of UDT, none exist regarding use of POC vs confirmatory testing.
1. Couto JE, Romney MC, Leider HL, et al. High rates of inappropriate drug use in the chronic pain population. Popul Health Mang 2009;12:185-90.
1. + for prescribed drugs and – for all other drugs
Normal result2. - for prescribed drugs3. + for non-prescribed drugs4. + for illicit drugs5. Urine specimen tampered with
Christo PJ, Manchikanti L, Ruan X, et al. Urine drug testing in chronic pain. Pain Physician 2011;14:123-43.
URINE SPECIMEN URINE SPECIMEN TAMPERED WITHTAMPERED WITH
Cold urine, wrong pH, abnormal creatinine, etc.
Almost any possible explanation is incriminating
Consider as grounds for discharge.
- FOR PRESCRIBED - FOR PRESCRIBED DRUGSDRUGS
Send specimen for confirmation More restrictive compliance
monitoringo More frequent visitso Pill countso Change in formulation
+ FOR NON-PRESCRIBED + FOR NON-PRESCRIBED DRUGDRUG
False-positiveReview cross-reactantsSend for confirmationMetabolitesOpioids from another source
Review state prescription reporting data [OARRS]
MetabolitesDrug Metabolites
Hydrocodone Hydromorphone, dihydrocodeine
Oxycodone Oxymorphone, noroxycodone
Morphine M-3-G, M-6-G, normorphine, hydromorphone
Methadone EDDP
Hydromorphone
H-3-G, dihydromorphone
Oxymorphone O-3-G, oxymorphol
Codeine Hydrocodone, norcodeine, morphine
Heroin Morphine, codeine, 6-MAM
Fentanyl Norfentanyl
+ FOR ILLICIT DRUGS+ FOR ILLICIT DRUGS
~46% of patient with CNCP have history of illicit drug use and 8-23% are current users,
12% are actively abusing opioids.1,2
Continued illicit drug use is incompatible with opioid therapy
Discharge vs addiction medicine referral vs treatment.
1. Manchikanti L, Cash KA, Malla Y, et al. A prospective evaluation of psychotherapeutic and illicit drug use in patients presenting with chronic pain at the time of initial evaluation. Pain Phys 2013;16:E1-13. 2. Manchikanti L, Damron KS, McManus CD, et al. Patterns of illicit drug use and opioid abuse in patients with chronic pain at initial evaluation: a prospective, observational study. Pain Phys 2004;7:431-7
Opioid TherapyGuidelines for opioid treatment
Exhaust other conservative treatment options firstRule out contraindications to opioid useSingle practitioner prescribes all the opioidsProvide informed consent regarding side effectsOpioid contractAssess degree of pain relief, functional improvementPt should return at least monthly during dose titrationConsider tapering and discontinuation if contract