Question

A 40-year-old man with chronic non-cancer low back pain has been on morphine 120 mg oral morphine equivalent per day for 18 months with limited functional benefit. According to the 2017 Canadian opioid guideline, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Taper opioids to the lowest effective dose, aiming for <90 mg MED or discontinuation if feasible

Answer

Continue current dose indefinitely if no major side effects

Answer

Increase the opioid dose until pain score is zero

Answer

Switch to long-term methadone without monitoring

Answer

Abruptly stop opioids with no taper

Practice question

A 40-year-old man with chronic non-cancer low back pain has been on morphine 120 mg oral morphine equivalent per day for 18 months with limited functional benefit. According to the 2017 Canadian opioid guideline, what is the most appropriate next step?