Many patients with acute pain discharged from emergency departments with opioid prescriptions end up not using them, potentially contributing to later misuse and opioid overdose, according to a recent study.
The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on July 15, found that participants consumed a median of only five tablets out of a total prescription of 16 tablets, with most stopping opioid use within 2 weeks. That left nearly two-thirds of the opioids unused and potentially available for misuse.
