A 55-year-old man presents with chronic, non-cancer pain from osteoarthritis. He has been taking oral Morphine 120 mg per day for 2 years with limited...

Question

A 55-year-old man presents with chronic, non-cancer pain from osteoarthritis. He has been taking oral Morphine 120 mg per day for 2 years with limited benefit and increasing adverse effects. According to best practice on opioid stewardship, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Review and discuss tapering and reducing opioid dose while optimising non-pharmacological therapies

Answer

Increase Morphine dose to improve analgesia

Answer

Switch immediately to another strong opioid at an equi-analgesic dose without reduction

Answer

Continue current regimen indefinitely

Answer

Start benzodiazepines in addition to Morphine

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Opioid stewardship in chronic non-cancer pain

A 55-year-old man presents with chronic, non-cancer pain from osteoarthritis. He has been taking oral Morphine 120 mg per day for 2 years with limited benefit and increasing adverse effects. According to best practice on opioid stewardship, what is the most appropriate next step?